WBPSC WBCS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is India's rank in the Network Readiness Index 2025, released on 4 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 45th
India rose four places, from 49th in 2024 to 45th in NRI 2025.
Which institution prepares the Network Readiness Index?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Portulans Institute, Washington DC
The NRI 2025 report was prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research institute based in Washington DC.
In NRI 2025, India's score improved to what value out of 100?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 54.43
India's score rose from 53.63 in 2024 to 54.43 in 2025.
Consider the following about the Network Readiness Index 2025: 1. It covers 127 economies on four pillars — Technology, People, Governance and Impact — using 53 indicators. 2. India ranked 1st among lower-middle-income countries. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India ranked 2nd in the lower-middle-income group.
Which body launched its first open call under the RDI Fund on 4 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Technology Development Board
The Technology Development Board (TDB) launched its first open call under ANRF's RDI Fund.
TDB's first RDI call offers up to what share of project funding for TRL-4+ technologies?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 50%
The call offers up to 50% project funding for technologies at TRL-4 and above.
Consider the following about the RDI Fund: 1. TDB and BIRAC were approved as its first second-level fund managers. 2. TDB's first call offers collateral-free loans at about 2–4% interest with tenures of up to 15 years. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. TDB and BIRAC were approved as the first second-level fund managers in January 2026, and the first TDB call offers collateral-free loans at 2–4% for up to 15 years.
Who inaugurated the exposition of the Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha in Colombo on 4 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the exposition with the Gujarat Governor and Deputy Chief Minister.
Who led the Indian delegation that accompanied the Devnimori relics to Sri Lanka in February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat
The delegation was led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
NMDC's first coal mine, inaugurated in January 2026, is Tokisud North in which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Jharkhand
NMDC said its first coal mine, Tokisud North, is in Jharkhand.
Where was the fourth India–Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting held on 2–3 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Zanzibar
The 4th JDCC was held in Zanzibar; the 3rd had been held in Goa in November 2024.
At the 4th India–Tanzania JDCC, the two sides agreed to start cooperation between which services, complementing existing Navy and Army ties?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Air Forces
Both sides agreed to initiate cooperation between their Air Forces, complementing the existing Navy and Army cooperation.
The MoU signed on 3 February 2026 relates to the establishment of which entity?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bharat Container Shipping Line
The MoU was for establishing the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
The BCSL MoU aligns with which scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme
The Shipping Ministry said the MoU aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS).
Consider the following about the MoUs signed on 3 February 2026: 1. The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is a signatory to the BCSL MoU. 2. The Outer Harbour project being financed is at Kandla (Deendayal Port). Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹15,000-crore Outer Harbour project is at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin.
What is the capacity of the Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project in Bhutan, whose early commissioning India and Bhutan discussed on 3 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1,200 MW
Punatsangchhu-I is 1,200 MW; Punatsangchhu-II is 1,020 MW.
Up to which year did India and Bhutan assess cross-border transmission links in their February 2026 talks?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2040
The two sides assessed cross-border transmission links till 2040.
Consider the following, as stated by the Power Ministry in February 2026: 1. India–Bhutan hydropower cooperation began in 1961. 2. India and Bhutan signed an agreement on hydroelectric power cooperation in 2006. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Power Ministry release.
The evidence-based guidelines released by the Health Minister on 3 February 2026 relate to which cancer?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Lung cancer
J.P. Nadda released the 'Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines'.
How many evidence-based recommendations do the lung cancer guidelines released in February 2026 contain?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 15
The guidelines contain 15 evidence-based recommendations on treatment and palliative care.
Consider the following about the lung cancer guidelines released in February 2026: 1. They were developed by the Department of Health Research and the Directorate General of Health Services with partner institutions. 2. They were released at Nirman Bhawan on World Cancer Day itself. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The guidelines were released at Kartavya Bhavan on 3 February 2026, the eve of World Cancer Day.
What were SAIL's record cumulative sales for April–January FY 2025-26, announced on 3 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 16.6 million tonnes
SAIL sold 16.6 MT in April–January FY26, up 16% from 14.3 MT a year earlier.
Under which scheme are the six sports infrastructure projects whose foundation stones were laid on 3 February 2026 being implemented?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Khelo India Scheme
The six projects, costing ₹82 crore, are under the Khelo India Scheme with SAI support.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026 notified on 2 February 2026, what is the general duty-free allowance for a resident passenger?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹75,000
Residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with a non-tourist visa get a ₹75,000 duty-free allowance.
What duty-free allowance do the Baggage Rules, 2026 give a tourist of foreign origin?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹25,000
Tourists of foreign origin get ₹25,000; crew members get ₹2,500.
Under the weight-based jewellery allowance in the Baggage Rules, 2026, how much duty-free jewellery can an eligible female passenger bring?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Up to 40 grams
Eligible female passengers may bring up to 40 g and others up to 20 g; the old value caps were removed.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, what is the transfer-of-residence cap for a person returning after more than two years abroad?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹7.5 lakh
The caps are ₹1.5 lakh (up to 12 months), ₹3 lakh (1–2 years) and ₹7.5 lakh (above 2 years).
Consider the following about the Baggage Rules, 2026: 1. Duty-free import of one laptop by passengers above 18 years has been incorporated into the Rules. 2. Passengers arriving by land borders are entitled to the same ₹75,000 general allowance as air passengers. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Passengers arriving by land borders do not get any general duty-free allowance.
On 2 February 2026, President Trump announced that the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods would be cut to 18% from what level?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 25%
Trump said the reciprocal tariff would fall from 25% to 18%.
The separate additional 25% US tariff on Indian goods, which the White House said on 2 February 2026 would be dropped, had been imposed over what?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — India's purchases of Russian oil
The additional 25% tariff was imposed in August 2025 over India's purchases of Russian oil.
According to CNN, President Trump said on 2 February 2026 that India would replace its Russian crude imports with oil from which countries?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — The United States and Venezuela
CNN reported Trump said Modi agreed to replace Russian crude with oil from Venezuela and the United States.
Consider the following about the US tariff announcement of 2 February 2026: 1. With the additional 25% tariff also dropped, the combined US tariff on Indian goods falls from 50% to 18%. 2. PM Modi's post on X confirmed that India would stop buying Russian oil. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Modi's X post thanked Trump for the 18% tariff but did not mention Russian oil.
Miniratna Category-I status, granted to Yantra India Limited in February 2026, allows its board to approve capital expenditure up to what amount without government approval?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹500 crore
Miniratna Category-I status empowers the board to incur capex up to ₹500 crore without government approval.
Yantra India Limited was formed when the Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised on 1 October 2021 into how many new DPSUs?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Seven
The Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised into seven new DPSUs on 1 October 2021.
Consider the following about Yantra India Limited: 1. It is a Schedule 'A' DPSU under the Department of Defence Production. 2. It was the first of the DPSUs carved out of the Ordnance Factory Board to receive Miniratna Category-I status. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Munitions India, Armoured Vehicles Nigam and India Optel received Miniratna-I status earlier, in May 2025.
What is the sampling frame for MoSPI's Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives, proposed to start in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — National Cooperative Database
The survey's sampling frame is the National Cooperative Database, using the list of functional cooperatives from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Which post did Hari Shankar Verma take charge of on 2 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board
Verma, a 1987-batch IRTS officer, became Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board; he was earlier DG (Safety).
SAIL signed an MoU with RITES on 2 February 2026 mainly for what?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Leasing and maintenance of diesel locomotives
The MoU covers diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance for SAIL's internal rail network at plants and mines.
What reward do the winners of MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026 get?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — A chance to interact with the Prime Minister
The winners will get to interact with the Prime Minister.
How much was allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹7.85 lakh crore
The Ministry of Defence got a record ₹7.85 lakh crore.
What is the defence capital outlay in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹2.19 lakh crore
Capital expenditure got ₹2.19 lakh crore, up from ₹1.80 lakh crore in BE 2025-26; ₹1.39 lakh crore is for domestic industry.
The defence allocation in the Union Budget 2026-27 is what share of the estimated GDP for 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2%
The ₹7.85 lakh crore allocation is 2% of estimated GDP.
Consider the following about the defence budget for 2026-27: 1. It accounts for 14.67% of Central Government expenditure, the highest among ministries. 2. The allocation for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme was cut compared with BE 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ECHS got ₹12,100 crore, 45.49% higher than BE 2025-26.
From when does the new Income Tax Act, 2025 come into effect, as confirmed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Income Tax Act, 2025 comes into effect from 1 April 2026.
To what rate did the Union Budget 2026-27 cut TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2%
TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes was cut to 2% from 5%.
The Union Budget 2026-27 raised the threshold for availing safe harbour for IT services from ₹300 crore to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹2,000 crore
The safe-harbour threshold for IT services was raised from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore, with a common 15.5% margin.
Consider the following direct tax proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. Interest awarded by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax. 2. The time for revising income tax returns is cut from 31 December to 30 September. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The time to revise returns was extended from 31 December to 31 March, with a nominal fee.
What outlay did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce for Biopharma SHAKTI?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Biopharma SHAKTI has an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years.
Which of the following states is NOT among those to be supported by the dedicated Rare Earth Corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Jharkhand
The Rare Earth Corridors will support Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
To what amount did the Union Budget 2026-27 raise the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹40,000 crore
The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay was increased to ₹40,000 crore.
Consider the following about Biopharma SHAKTI, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. It includes creating three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and upgrading seven existing ones. 2. It plans a network of over 1,000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
At what level did the government, in the Budget 2026-27, agree to retain the states' vertical share of devolution as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 41%
The government accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to retain the vertical share at 41%.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 provide to states for 2026-27 as Finance Commission grants?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹1.4 lakh crore
₹1.4 lakh crore was provided as Finance Commission grants, as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission.
Consider the following about the Finance Commission grants announced in the Budget 2026-27: 1. They include grants for both rural and urban local bodies. 2. They exclude disaster management grants, which are now funded separately. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹1.4 lakh crore includes rural and urban local body grants and disaster management grants.
The sharing of the net proceeds of Union taxes between the Union and the states, on which the Finance Commission's 'vertical devolution' recommendation applies, is provided under which Article?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Article 270
Article 270 provides for the net proceeds of Union taxes and duties to be distributed between the Union and the states.
What public capital expenditure did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose for 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹12.2 lakh crore
Public capex was raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore for 2026-27.
Which new fund did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce to reassure private developers about construction-phase risks?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund
The Budget announced an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund for risks during development and construction.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, how much will each City Economic Region get for implementing its plan?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹5,000 crore over 5 years
Each City Economic Region gets ₹5,000 crore over five years through a challenge mode with results-based financing.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. A ₹100 crore incentive is offered to a city for a single municipal bond issue of more than ₹1,000 crore. 2. Dedicated REITs are proposed to recycle real-estate assets of CPSEs. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as listed in the Budget highlights.
What record capital expenditure was planned for Indian Railways in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹2,93,030 crore
A record capex of ₹2,93,030 crore was planned for Indian Railways.
The new dedicated freight corridor announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 will connect Dankuni with which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Surat
The 2,052 km dedicated freight corridor will link Dankuni in the east with Surat in the west.
Which of the following is NOT among the seven high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Delhi–Amritsar
The seven are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
Consider the following about the transport proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The rollout of 20 new National Waterways will begin with NW-5 in Odisha, linking Talcher and Angul to the ports of Paradip and Dhamra. 2. The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme aims to raise the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping to 12% by 2047. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct; the target is to raise the share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed reducing the tariff on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20% to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 10%
The tariff on dutiable goods imported for personal use is to fall from 20% to 10%.
How many drugs or medicines, particularly for cancer patients, did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to exempt from basic customs duty?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 17
BCD is to be exempted on 17 drugs or medicines; separately, 7 more rare diseases were added for personal-import exemptions.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, until which year has the basic customs duty exemption on goods for nuclear power projects been extended?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2035
The exemption was extended till 2035 and expanded to all nuclear plants irrespective of capacity.
Consider the following customs proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The duty-deferral period for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Authorised Economic Operators is raised from 15 to 30 days. 2. The limit for duty-free inputs for seafood exports is raised from 1% to 3% of the previous year's FOB export turnover. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
What fiscal deficit target, as a share of GDP, did the Union Budget 2026-27 set for 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 4.3%
The fiscal deficit in BE 2026-27 is estimated at 4.3% of GDP; RE 2025-26 is 4.4%.
According to the Union Budget 2026-27, what is the Centre's debt-to-GDP ratio estimated at in BE 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 55.6%
Debt-to-GDP is estimated at 55.6% in BE 2026-27, down from 56.1% in RE 2025-26.
What is the total expenditure estimated in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹53.5 lakh crore
Total expenditure is estimated at ₹53.5 lakh crore in BE 2026-27; ₹49.6 lakh crore is the RE for 2025-26.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The government says India is on track to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50±1% by 2030-31. 2. The fiscal deficit for 2025-26 in the Revised Estimates was higher than the Budget Estimate of 4.4%. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. RE 2025-26 kept the fiscal deficit at par with BE 2025-26, at 4.4% of GDP.
The Union Budget is constitutionally the 'annual financial statement' laid before both Houses of Parliament. Which Article of the Constitution provides for it?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Article 112
Article 112 requires the President to cause a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for each financial year — the annual financial statement — to be laid before both Houses.
Whom did Carlos Alcaraz beat in the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final on 1 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
With his Australian Open 2026 title, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to achieve what?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Complete a career Grand Slam
By winning his first Australian Open, the 22-year-old became the youngest man to win all four majors — a career Grand Slam.
What is Bharat-VISTAAR, proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — A multilingual AI tool giving farmers customised advisory
Bharat-VISTAAR is a multilingual AI tool that integrates AgriStack portals and ICAR's package of practices.
Which of the following crops is NOT among the high-value crops the Union Budget 2026-27 said it would support in coastal areas?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Saffron
The crops named were coconut, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in coastal areas.
Where will NIMHANS-2, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, be set up?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — North India
The Budget announced NIMHANS-2 in north India; institutes at Ranchi and Tezpur will be upgraded as regional apex institutions.
How many Regional Medical Hubs to promote medical tourism did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Five
Five Regional Medical Hubs will be established to promote medical value tourism.
Which of the following sites is among the 15 archaeological sites to be developed as cultural destinations under the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rakhigarhi
The listed sites include Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur and Leh Palace.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 allocate to promote sports goods manufacturing?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹500 crore
₹500 crore was allocated to promote sports goods manufacturing, alongside the Khelo India Mission.
What is the size of the SME Growth Fund announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to create 'Champion SMEs'?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore
A dedicated ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund was announced.
Which two public sector NBFCs did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to restructure to achieve scale and efficiency?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation
The Budget proposed restructuring Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation.