WBPSC WBCS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which industry bodies joined the Fit India Sundays on Cycle event led by Mansukh Mandaviya in Delhi on 23 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — FICCI and CII
Special guests from industry bodies FICCI and CII joined the ninth week of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Delhi.
Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das was appointed to which post on 22 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment as Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister.
Who continues as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister after Shaktikanta Das's appointment as Principal Secretary-2?
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Correct answer: C — P.K. Mishra
P.K. Mishra, a retired Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, continues as Principal Secretary to the PM.
Consider the following statements about Shaktikanta Das's appointment of February 2025: 1. It was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. 2. It is for a fixed term of five years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The ACC approved the appointment, but it is co-terminus with the PM's term or until further orders, not a fixed five-year term, so only the first statement is correct.
Who scored 165 for England against Australia on 22 February 2025, the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history?
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Correct answer: D — Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett's 165 off 143 balls is the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history.
Whose unbeaten 120, his maiden ODI century, steered Australia's record chase against England in Lahore?
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Correct answer: A — Josh Inglis
Josh Inglis made 120 not out off 86 balls, his maiden ODI century, as Australia chased 352.
Where was the 6th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian scheduled from 24 February to 9 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area, Japan
The 6th edition was scheduled at the East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area in Japan.
The Indian contingent for Exercise Dharma Guardian 2025 was drawn mainly from a battalion of which regiment?
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Correct answer: B — Madras Regiment
The 120-member Indian contingent was represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the Madras Regiment.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Dharma Guardian: 1. It is an annual exercise held alternately in India and Japan. 2. Its previous edition, before February 2025, was held in Rajasthan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The Defence Ministry said the exercise is annual and held alternately in India and Japan, and the previous edition was held in Rajasthan in February-March 2024, so both statements are correct.
The draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, whose consultation was concluded on 22 February 2025, sought to amend which law?
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Correct answer: B — Advocates Act, 1961
The draft sought to amend the Advocates Act, 1961; it drew objections from the Bar Council of India and lawyers.
On which website was the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 placed for public consultation on 13 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Legal Affairs
The Law Ministry said the draft was made available for public consultation on the website of the Department of Legal Affairs on 13 February 2025.
About how many TB patients did India notify in 2024, as stated in the Health Ministry's update of 22 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Over 26 lakh
The Ministry said India notified over 26 lakh TB patients in 2024, with over 36% of notifications from the private sector.
The 'Compendium of Datasets and Registries in India, 2024' released by NSO in February 2025 covers about how many datasets and registries?
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Correct answer: D — 270
The compendium consolidates metadata for about 270 datasets and registries from 40 Ministries and Departments.
What was UNESCO's theme for International Mother Language Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Languages matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day
UNESCO's 2025 theme was 'Languages matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day'; 'Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development' was the theme of IGNCA's own event in New Delhi.
International Mother Language Day 2025 marked which anniversary of the Day?
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Correct answer: B — 25th
UNESCO celebrated 2025 as the 25th anniversary, or Silver Jubilee, of International Mother Language Day.
According to UNESCO, as highlighted on International Mother Language Day 2025, what share of learners lack access to education in a language they understand?
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Correct answer: C — 40%
UNESCO said 40% of learners do not have the opportunity to learn in a language they understand, and called for multilingual education.
The UN's International Decade of Indigenous Languages, referred to at IGNCA's Mother Language Day event in February 2025, covers which period?
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Correct answer: D — 2022-2032
UNESCO's South Asia director Tim Curtis referred to the UN declaration of 2022-2032 as the Decade of Indigenous Languages, aimed at documenting and revitalising languages.
From which country did India take over the chairmanship of BOBP-IGO on 21 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Bangladesh
India assumed the chairmanship of BOBP-IGO from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council meeting in the Maldives.
Where is the headquarters of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)?
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Correct answer: D — Chennai
BOBP-IGO, a regional fisheries advisory body, is headquartered on St. Mary's Road, Abhiramapuram, Chennai.
Consider the following statements about BOBP-IGO: 1. Its members are Bangladesh, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. 2. Myanmar and Thailand are full members of the organisation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
BOBP-IGO's members are Bangladesh, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are only cooperating non-contracting parties, so only the first statement is correct.
Which organisation was appointed by the IWAI Board in February 2025 to carry out the feasibility study for Water Metro in 17 cities?
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Correct answer: A — Kochi Metro Rail Limited
The IWAI Board appointed Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to carry out the feasibility study.
The IWAI Board decided in February 2025 to explore Water Metro in how many cities?
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Correct answer: C — 17
The Board decided to explore Water Metro in 17 cities across 12 states.
According to the Power Minister on 21 February 2025, average electricity supply in rural areas has risen to how many hours a day in 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 22.6 hours
Manohar Lal said rural supply rose from 12.5 hours in 2014 to 22.6 hours in 2025, and urban supply reached 23.4 hours.
AT&C losses in India's power sector fell from 22.62% in 2014 to what level in 2025, as stated by the Power Minister?
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Correct answer: A — 15%
The Minister said AT&C losses fell from 22.62% in 2014 to 15% in 2025.
Who scored a maiden ODI century as South Africa beat Afghanistan by 107 runs in the Champions Trophy at Karachi on 21 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ryan Rickelton
Ryan Rickelton scored 103 off 106 balls, his maiden ODI century, and was named Player of the Match.
How many new employees were enrolled under the ESI Scheme in December 2024, according to provisional ESIC payroll data?
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Correct answer: D — 17.01 lakh
ESIC's provisional payroll data showed 17.01 lakh new employees added in December 2024, with 20,360 new establishments.
Which of the following minerals was NOT among those shifted from minor to major minerals by the Ministry of Mines in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Limestone
The minerals shifted were Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz; limestone was not part of this notification.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee that recommended reclassifying Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz as major minerals was chaired by:
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Correct answer: B — Dr V.K. Saraswat
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the mines and minerals sector was chaired by NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Saraswat.
Quartz, Felspar and Mica were reclassified partly because they occur in which rocks that are an important source of critical minerals like lithium and beryl?
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Correct answer: C — Pegmatite
Quartz, Felspar and Mica are found in pegmatite rocks, an important source of critical minerals such as beryl, lithium, niobium and tantalum.
Consider the following statements about the reclassification of Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz as major minerals (February 2025): 1. Revenue from these mines will now accrue to the Central Government instead of the states. 2. Existing leases will be extended to 50 years from the date of grant under Section 8A of the MMDR Act, 1957. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The Ministry said revenue from these mines will continue to accrue to the state governments, while leases get extended to 50 years from the date of grant (or till the end of the renewal period, if later) under Section 8A, so only the second statement is correct.
Who scored an unbeaten century for India against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy at Dubai on 20 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill made 101 not out off 129 balls as India chased 229.
Mohammed Shami, who took 5 for 53 against Bangladesh, overtook whom to become India's leading wicket-taker in men's ICC tournaments?
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Correct answer: B — Zaheer Khan
With his five-for, Shami overtook Zaheer Khan as India's leading wicket-taker in men's ICC tournaments.
Which record did Mohammed Shami set during his 5 for 53 against Bangladesh on 20 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Quickest to 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled
Shami became the quickest bowler to 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled, and it was his sixth ODI five-wicket haul.
Which Bangladesh batter scored his maiden ODI century against India in Dubai on 20 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy scored 100 off 118 balls, his maiden ODI century, sharing a 154-run sixth-wicket stand with Jaker Ali.
The Intensified Special NCD Screening Campaign launched on 20 February 2025 aims to screen all individuals above what age?
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Correct answer: A — 30 years
The campaign aims at 100% screening of all individuals aged 30 years and above.
Which of the following cancers is NOT among the three covered by the NCD screening campaign of February-March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Lung cancer
The campaign screens for diabetes, hypertension and three common cancers: oral, breast and cervical.
With the launch of the Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) for pilots on 20 February 2025, India became which country in the world to implement it?
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Correct answer: C — Second
The Civil Aviation Ministry said India became the second country globally to implement the EPL system.
India's Electronic Personnel Licence for pilots follows ICAO's Amendment 178 to which Annex of the Chicago Convention?
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Correct answer: D — Annex 1 - Personnel Licensing
The EPL follows ICAO's Amendment 178 to Annex 1, Personnel Licensing, which encourages member states to adopt electronic licences.
INS Sujata and ICGS Veera of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron arrived at Cam Ranh Bay on 20 February 2025. Cam Ranh Bay is in:
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Correct answer: A — Vietnam
Cam Ranh Bay is in Vietnam, where the ships were welcomed by the Vietnam People's Navy.
Gyanesh Kumar, who assumed charge on 19 February 2025, is India's which Chief Election Commissioner?
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Correct answer: B — 26th
The Election Commission's press note says Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar belongs to the 1988 batch of the IAS from which cadre?
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Correct answer: A — Kerala
Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre and served as District Collector of Ernakulam.
Who took charge as Election Commissioner on 19 February 2025, filling the vacancy created by Gyanesh Kumar's elevation as CEC?
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Correct answer: B — Vivek Joshi
Vivek Joshi, who was Haryana's Chief Secretary, took charge as Election Commissioner the same day; Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was already a member.
Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, the Search Committee that prepares a panel of five names is headed by the:
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Correct answer: C — Minister of Law and Justice
Section 6 of the 2023 Act provides for a Search Committee headed by the Minister of Law and Justice, with two members not below the rank of Secretary, to prepare a panel of five persons.
Consider the following statements about the Selection Committee under Section 7 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023: 1. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is a member. 3. The Chief Justice of India is a member. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Section 7 names the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister as members; the Chief Justice of India is not on the committee, so only the first two statements are correct.
By what margin did New Zealand beat Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi?
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Correct answer: D — 60 runs
New Zealand made 320 for 5 and bowled Pakistan out for 260, winning by 60 runs.
Who was named Player of the Match in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener between Pakistan and New Zealand?
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Correct answer: B — Tom Latham
Tom Latham, unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls, was named Player of the Match.
Besides Tom Latham, which New Zealand batter scored a century against Pakistan in Karachi on 19 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Will Young
Will Young made 107 off 113 balls, the other century in New Zealand's 320 for 5.
Where was the first General Assembly of IALA held, at which India was elected to the Vice Presidency in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Singapore
India was elected to IALA's Vice Presidency at the body's 1st General Assembly in Singapore.
IALA, whose first General Assembly was held in February 2025, was originally established in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1957
IALA was established in 1957 as a non-governmental organisation.
What change in IALA's status was marked by its first General Assembly in Singapore?
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Correct answer: B — It moved from a non-governmental to an inter-governmental organisation
The first General Assembly marked IALA's transition from a non-governmental organisation to an inter-governmental organisation.
Which Indian PSU signed an MoU with the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, on 19 February 2025 for critical mineral exploration?
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Correct answer: C — Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)
The MoU was signed between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca.
Argentina, a partner in India's search for battery minerals, is part of which resource region?
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Correct answer: D — Lithium Triangle
The Ministry of Mines described Argentina as known for its vast lithium reserves as part of the 'Lithium Triangle'.
Which edition of the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) met in Kuala Lumpur on 19 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 13th
The 13th MIDCOM meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on 19 February 2025.
At the 13th MIDCOM, India and Malaysia exchanged terms of reference for a forum on the maintenance of which aircraft, flown by both air forces?
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Correct answer: D — Su-30
The finalised terms of reference for a Su-30 Forum were exchanged, to share expertise and best practices in Su-30 maintenance.
Who was the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes when it marked its 22nd Foundation Day on 19 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Antar Singh Arya
Chairperson Antar Singh Arya spoke on the Commission's work; Hansraj Gangaram Ahir chairs the backward classes commission and Nirupam Chakma is an NCST member.
Which leader of Qatar paid a State Visit to India on 17-18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, paid his second State Visit to India on 17-18 February 2025.
During the Amir of Qatar's visit in February 2025, India-Qatar relations were elevated to which level?
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Correct answer: A — Strategic Partnership
The two sides signed the Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership.
How much investment in India did Qatar commit to, according to the India-Qatar Joint Statement of 18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — USD 10 billion
The Qatar side announced a commitment to invest USD 10 billion in India in sectors such as infrastructure, technology, manufacturing and food security.
What bilateral trade target did India and Qatar set in February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Double trade by 2030
Both sides set the target to double bilateral trade by 2030 and agreed to explore a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Consider the following statements about the Amir of Qatar's visit to India in February 2025: 1. It was his second State Visit to India. 2. The Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce was elevated to a Joint Commission headed by the Commerce Ministers. 3. India and Qatar signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during the visit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
It was the Amir's second State Visit, and the trade working group became a Joint Commission headed by the Commerce Ministers; on a CEPA, the sides only agreed to explore the possibility, so only the first two statements are correct.
According to the PLFS quarterly bulletin for October-December 2024, what was the urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above (CWS)?
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Correct answer: C — 6.4%
The urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above fell to 6.4% in October-December 2024 from 6.5% a year earlier.
What was the urban unemployment rate among women aged 15 and above in October-December 2024, as per the PLFS bulletin?
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Correct answer: B — 8.1%
The female urban unemployment rate fell from 8.6% in October-December 2023 to 8.1% in October-December 2024.
With which Nepalese institution did CSIR sign an MoU on science and technology cooperation on 18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
CSIR and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) formalised the MoU at CSIR-NPL, New Delhi.
The Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM), launched by MeitY in February 2025, is part of which initiative?
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Correct answer: D — Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India's Digital Footprint
DBIM was launched under the 'Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India's Digital Footprint' initiative to give government websites a uniform identity.
After reaching Port Stanley on 18 February 2025, INSV Tarini was to sail to which port before returning to India?
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Correct answer: B — Cape Town
Following its stop in Port Stanley, INSV Tarini was to sail to Cape Town before returning to India.
Which ITU event did India propose to host, during the Telecom Secretary's visit to Geneva in February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030
India proposed to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030 as part of positioning itself as a global digital leader.
The Letter of Intent signed by DoT and ITU on 17 February 2025 mainly concerns collaboration on:
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Correct answer: D — AI-driven digital twin technologies for infrastructure planning
The LoI covers common initiatives in digital twins, AI-driven solutions, virtual world technologies and IMT-2030 for future-ready infrastructure planning.