Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which edition of the Khelo India Winter Games opened in Leh on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Sixth
PIB (Sports): the curtains went up on the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at NDS Stadium, Leh.
Which event was added to the ice skating programme of the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Figure skating
PIB (Sports): figure skating has been added to the ice skating programme for the first time.
Consider the following statements about the Khelo India Winter Games 2026: 1. This is the third time Ladakh is hosting the Games. 2. The Ladakh leg was declared open by the Union Sports Minister. 3. The snow leg is to be held in Gulmarg. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Sports): Ladakh is hosting KIWG for the third time and the snow leg will be in Gulmarg; the Games were declared open by Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta, while Dr Mansukh Mandaviya sent a message.
In January 2026, the CCI approved the acquisition of a stake in which Indian bank by Emirates NBD?
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Correct answer: C — RBL Bank
PIB (CCI): the Commission approved Emirates NBD Bank's proposed acquisition of shareholding in RBL Bank Limited.
What range of shareholding in RBL Bank does Emirates NBD propose to acquire, as approved by the CCI?
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Correct answer: B — Not less than 51%, up to 74%
PIB (CCI): the combination envisages acquisition of up to 74% (and not less than 51%) of RBL Bank.
The 233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted in January 2026 was given to which museum?
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Correct answer: A — International Ram Katha Museum, Ayodhya
PIB (Culture): the manuscript has been permanently gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya, Ayodhya.
The Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted to the Ram Katha Museum carries which classical commentary?
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Correct answer: A — Tattvadīpikā by Maheshvara Tīrtha
PIB (Culture): the manuscript is the Vālmīkirāmāyaṇam with the Tattvadīpikā ṭīkā by Maheshvara Tīrtha.
Consider the following statements about the Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted in January 2026: 1. It dates to Vikrama Samvat 1849 (1792 CE). 2. It contains all seven kandas, including the Uttarakanda. 3. It was earlier on loan to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Culture): the manuscript dates to VS 1849 (1792 CE) and was earlier loaned to Rashtrapati Bhavan; it comprises five kandas — Bāla, Araṇya, Kiṣkindhā, Sundara and Yuddha — so statement 2 is wrong.
Under which section of the Dam Safety Act, 2021 is the National Committee on Dam Safety constituted?
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Correct answer: D — Section 5
PIB (Jal Shakti): the NCDS is constituted under Section 5 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021; its functions are in the First Schedule.
Who chaired the 11th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Chairman, Central Water Commission
PIB (Jal Shakti): the meeting was chaired by Anupam Prasad, Chairman of the Central Water Commission and Chairman of the NCDS.
ECOFIX, for which the Technology Development Board signed a commercialisation pact in January 2026, is:
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Correct answer: B — A ready-to-use pothole repair mix made from steel slag
PIB (Science & Technology): ECOFIX is a ready-to-use pothole repair mix capable of turning steel slag into a durable, instant repair option.
The industry partner that signed the ECOFIX agreement with the Technology Development Board is based in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
PIB (Science & Technology): the agreement was with Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited.
At which Indonesian port did the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron make a port call on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Belawan
PIB (Defence): the First Training Squadron made a port call at Belawan, Indonesia, on 20 January 2026.
Which of the following was NOT among the ships of the First Training Squadron at Belawan in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Vikrant
PIB (Defence): the ships were INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
How many ATMs did the Department of Posts activate at post offices across India, as announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 887
PIB (Communications): the Department of Posts revamped its ATM infrastructure with the activation of 887 ATMs across India.
Where did APEDA organise an Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet with the Assam government in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Guwahati
PIB (Commerce): APEDA organised the Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet at Guwahati.
A session at APEDA's Guwahati organic conclave covered which edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)?
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Correct answer: D — 8th
PIB (Commerce): the conclave featured a sensitisation session on NPOP 8th Edition, including the regulatory framework and labelling requirements.
During the UAE President's visit in January 2026, India and the UAE set what bilateral trade target for 2032?
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Correct answer: D — US$200 billion
PIB (PMO): bilateral trade reached US$100 billion in FY 2024-25, and the leaders decided to double it to US$200 billion by 2032.
Under the agreement signed during the UAE President's January 2026 visit, HPCL will buy LNG from ADNOC Gas on what terms?
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Correct answer: A — 0.5 MMTPA for 10 years from 2028
PIB (PMO, list of outcomes): the long-term agreement provides for purchase of 0.5 MMTPA LNG by HPCL from ADNOC Gas over 10 years starting 2028.
A Letter of Intent signed during the UAE President's January 2026 visit covers UAE partnership in developing which Special Investment Region?
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Correct answer: A — Dholera, Gujarat
PIB (PMO): the LoI between the Government of Gujarat and the UAE Ministry of Investment is for development of the Dholera Special Investment Region.
Consider the following statements about the UAE President's visit to India on 19 January 2026: 1. It was his fifth visit to India in the last ten years. 2. C-DAC and the UAE's G42 agreed in principle to set up a supercomputing cluster in India. 3. India and the UAE signed their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during this visit. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO): it was his fifth visit in ten years, and C-DAC–G42 agreed in principle on a supercomputing cluster; the CEPA was signed in 2022, not during this visit.
Which Indian agency signed a Letter of Intent with the UAE Space Agency during the UAE President's January 2026 visit?
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Correct answer: D — IN-SPACe
PIB (PMO, list of outcomes): the LoI on space industry development and commercial collaboration was between IN-SPACe and the UAE Space Agency.
Where was the 86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference inaugurated on 19 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Lucknow
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): the 86th AIPOC commenced in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
Who inaugurated the 86th All India Presiding Officers' Conference?
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Correct answer: A — UP Governor Anandiben Patel
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): the conference was inaugurated by UP Governor Anandiben Patel; Om Birla gave the keynote and Satish Mahana read the PM's message.
Between 1 April and 31 December 2025, public sector banks sanctioned MSME loans worth more than how much under their digital Credit Assessment Model?
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Correct answer: C — ₹52,300 crore
PIB (Finance): over 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications amounting to more than ₹52,300 crore were sanctioned.
The public sector banks' Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs is primarily based on:
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Correct answer: D — Digital footprints such as GST, bank statement and ITR data
PIB (Finance): the CAM uses digital footprints — KYC, GST data, account aggregator bank statements, ITR verification and CIC data — for automated appraisal.
How many proposals did the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife consider at its 88th meeting in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 70
PIB (MoEFCC): the Standing Committee considered 70 proposals, including 17 defence-related ones.
The 17 defence-related proposals considered at the 88th NBWL Standing Committee meeting were located mainly in:
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Correct answer: D — Ladakh and Sikkim
PIB (MoEFCC): the 17 defence proposals were primarily located in the UT of Ladakh and the State of Sikkim.
Proposals in and around protected areas are considered by the NBWL Standing Committee under which Act?
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Correct answer: C — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
PIB (MoEFCC): the proposals were considered in accordance with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Which two bodies were approved as the first Second-Level Fund Managers under the RDI Fund?
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Correct answer: A — TDB and BIRAC
PIB (Science & Technology): the Technology Development Board and BIRAC were approved as the first Second-Level Fund Managers under the RDI Fund.
What is the size of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund meant to catalyse private sector-led research?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1 lakh crore
PIB (Science & Technology): the RDI Fund is a ₹1 lakh crore initiative to catalyse private sector-led research and innovation.
Consider the following statements about the RDI Fund scheme: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025. 2. It was formally rolled out by the Prime Minister on 3 November 2025. 3. Funding of industry-backed projects had begun before the end of 2025. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Science & Technology): the Cabinet approved the scheme on 1 July 2025 and the PM rolled it out on 3 November 2025; funding of industry-backed projects was to start by the end of January 2026.
The Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector, launched in January 2026, was set up at which institution?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi
PIB (Power): Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Centre at IIT Delhi.
Which of the following jointly established the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs in the Power Sector?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi, CERC and Grid India
PIB (Power): the Centre is jointly established by IIT Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and Grid Controller of India Ltd.
The Raising Day of which force is observed on 19 January?
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Correct answer: B — National Disaster Response Force
PIB (MHA, PMO): greetings were extended to NDRF personnel on the force's Raising Day, 19 January 2026.
In January 2026 the Indian Navy contracted an MSME shipyard in Thane to build what?
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Correct answer: B — Three 200-tonne Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges
PIB (Defence): the contract with Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, is for 3 × 200T Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges.
What overhead traction power system will the OHE masts on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor support?
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Correct answer: B — 2×25 kV
PIB (Railways): the masts will support the complete 2×25 kV overhead traction power system.
Roughly how many OHE masts will be installed along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor?
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Correct answer: C — More than 20,000
PIB (Railways): in total, more than 20,000 masts ranging from 9.5 to 14.5 metres will be installed.
Approximately how many special guests were invited to witness the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path?
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Correct answer: C — 10,000
PIB (Defence): approximately 10,000 special guests (including spouses) were invited to the 77th Republic Day Parade.
Companies receiving incentives under the SIGHT programme were among the special guests at the 2026 Republic Day Parade. SIGHT is part of which mission?
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Correct answer: B — National Green Hydrogen Mission
PIB (Defence): the list includes heads of companies incentivised for hydrogen production and electrolyser manufacturing under the SIGHT programme in the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
How many special trains did Indian Railways run for the Mauni Amavasya period from 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 244
PIB (Railways): 244 special trains were operated since 3 January 2026, serving about 4.5 lakh passengers.
Which railway zone ran the largest number of the 244 Mauni Amavasya special trains in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — North Central Railway
PIB (Railways): North Central Railway ran 158 trains, Northern Railway 31 and North Eastern Railway 55.
C-DOT received the SKOCH Award 2025 for which solution?
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Correct answer: B — Cell Broadcast Solution
PIB (Communications): C-DOT was conferred the SKOCH Award 2025 for its Cell Broadcast Solution, a disaster and emergency alerting platform.
The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, whose Bhoomi Pujan was performed in January 2026, involves 4-laning of a section of which National Highway?
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Correct answer: A — NH-715
PIB (PMO): the project is the 4-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715.
What is the approximate cost of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project?
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Correct answer: A — Over ₹6,950 crore
PIB (PMO): the project is worth over ₹6,950 crore.
At the Kaziranga corridor event, the PM recalled that which warrior strategised from Kaliabor to drive out the Mughal army?
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Correct answer: A — Lachit Borphukan
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the PM recalled that it was from Kaliabor that Lachit Borphukan strategised to drive out the Mughal invaders.
To which country did India flag off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets on 18 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Armenia
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia from Nagpur.
The Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility inaugurated at Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd, Nagpur, manufactures which ammunition?
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Correct answer: B — 30mm
PIB (Defence): the fully automated plant manufactures 30mm ammunition used extensively by the Indian Army and Navy.
At Nagpur in January 2026, the Defence Minister said the government aims to raise the private sector's share in defence manufacturing to what level soon?
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Correct answer: C — 50% or more
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh said the aim is to increase the private sector's role in defence manufacturing to 50% or more soon.
In which district of West Bengal is Singur, where the PM launched projects worth over ₹830 crore on 18 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Hooghly
PIB (PMO): the projects were launched at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal.
How many hybrid electric catamarans did the PM launch for passenger transport on Kolkata's waterways in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Six
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): PM Modi launched six hybrid electric catamarans to boost green passenger transport on Kolkata waterways.
At Singur, the PM said an Extended Port Gate System being built at which place would open new opportunities for Hooghly?
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Correct answer: A — Balagarh
PIB (PMO): the PM said the Extended Port Gate System being built in Balagarh will open new opportunities for Hooghly and surrounding areas.
Which vessel was flagged off from Kochi in January 2026 for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative?
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Correct answer: B — INS Sagardhwani
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani, NPOL's oceanographic research vessel, was flagged off for Sagar Maitri V on 17 January 2026.
INS Sagardhwani operates under which DRDO laboratory?
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Correct answer: B — Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani is India's oceanographic research vessel under the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO.
In the context of the Sagar Maitri programme, MAITRI stands for:
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Correct answer: B — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative
PIB (Defence): DRDO initiated a scientific component titled MAITRI — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative — under Sagar Maitri.
Where was India's first open-sea marine fish farming project launched in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram
PIB (Earth Sciences): the project was launched on site at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, in the Andaman Sea.
Which institute brought the open-sea cage technology used in India's first open-sea marine fish farming project?
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Correct answer: A — NIOT
PIB (Earth Sciences): NIOT brought advanced open-sea cage technology for cage-based marine fish farming in the Andaman Sea.
What combined Profit After Tax did India's power distribution utilities record in FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: D — Profit of ₹2,701 crore
PIB (Power): distribution utilities recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY 2024-25.
What was the combined loss of India's power distribution utilities in FY 2013-14, as cited by the Power Ministry in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹67,962 crore
PIB (Power): the utilities lost ₹67,962 crore in FY 2013-14 and ₹25,553 crore in FY 2023-24.
Consider the following statements about power distribution utilities' finances as reported in January 2026: 1. They returned a positive PAT in FY 2024-25 after several years of losses. 2. Their loss in FY 2023-24 was ₹25,553 crore. 3. The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme was cited as one of the reforms behind the turnaround. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Power): PAT turned positive at ₹2,701 crore in FY 2024-25 after years of losses, the FY 2023-24 loss was ₹25,553 crore, and RDSS is listed among the transformative initiatives.
Where was PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi
PIB (MSME): Jitan Ram Manjhi inaugurated PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi.
Which ministry organised PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of MSME
PIB (MSME): PM Vishwakarma Haat 2026 was organised by the Ministry of MSME.
The first dedicated IndiaSkills regional competition for the North Eastern Region (IndiaSkills 2025-26) was scheduled to be held at:
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Correct answer: B — Gauhati University
PIB (MSDE): the North East Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025-26 was to be organised at Gauhati University from 19 to 22 January 2026.
In how many skill categories were youth to compete at the IndiaSkills 2025-26 North East Regional Competition?
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Correct answer: C — 26
PIB (MSDE): youth from all eight North Eastern states were to compete across 26 skill categories.
How many patients availed consultations at the Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in Lakshadweep in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 4,719
PIB (Defence): 4,719 patients availed specialist and super-specialist consultations.
Which of the following islands was NOT among the venues of the Joint Services medical camp in Lakshadweep in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Bangaram
PIB (Defence): the camp was held at Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Androth and Minicoy.
According to Indian Railways in January 2026, the length of track capable of 110 km/h or more has grown from 31,445 km in 2014 to:
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Correct answer: C — 84,244 km
PIB (Railways): high-speed-capable track length grew from 31,445 km in 2014 to 84,244 km, about 80% of the network.
How many track kilometres of track renewal did Indian Railways complete in 2024-25?
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Correct answer: B — 6,851
PIB (Railways): track renewal was carried out over 6,851 track km in 2024-25; 7,900 track km is planned for 2026-27.