Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many internships a year will be offered under the Sports Ministry's Comprehensive Internship Policy launched in December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 452
PIB 2207862: under the new policy, 452 internships will be offered annually across MYAS and its key institutions.
Which of the following is NOT named among the bodies offering internships under the Sports Ministry's December 2025 internship policy?
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Correct answer: D — Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education
PIB 2207862: the key institutions named are SAI, NADA and NDTL, along with the Ministry itself.
In the 14th round of commercial coal block auctions (bids opened on 23 December 2025), how many bids were received?
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Correct answer: C — 49
PIB 2207831: 49 bids were received against 24 of the 41 coal blocks offered; 11 companies participated.
On which portal is the electronic auction of commercial coal blocks conducted?
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Correct answer: B — MSTC portal
PIB 2207831: technically qualified bidders will be shortlisted for the electronic auction to be conducted on the MSTC portal.
India's first VR-based mine simulator for coal mining safety, inaugurated in December 2025, was developed by which institute?
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Correct answer: D — IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
PIB 2207948: the VRMS was developed by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in collaboration with Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries NCL and ECL.
The Centre of Excellence inaugurated at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on 23 December 2025 was set up under which mission?
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Correct answer: A — National Critical Minerals Mission
PIB 2207948: the minister inaugurated the Center of Excellence under the National Critical Minerals Mission hosted in IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
Under the India–New Zealand FTA concluded in December 2025, New Zealand will provide zero-duty access on what share of its tariff lines for Indian exports?
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Correct answer: C — 100%
PIB 2207300: New Zealand will eliminate tariffs on 100% of its tariff lines, giving duty-free access to all Indian exports.
How much investment has New Zealand committed to facilitate into India under the FTA concluded in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — USD 20 billion over 15 years
PIB 2207300: New Zealand has committed to facilitate investments of USD 20 billion into India over the next fifteen years.
Consider the following statements about the India–New Zealand FTA: 1. Negotiations were formally launched on 16 March 2025. 2. India has kept dairy products out of its market access offer. 3. The FTA provides a quota of 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry visas for Indian professionals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2207300: talks were launched on 16 March 2025, market access excludes dairy, and there is a quota of 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry visas. All three are correct.
Which core industry recorded the highest growth in November 2025, as per the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: D — Cement
PIB 2207434: cement production rose 14.5% in November 2025, the highest among the eight core industries.
The eight core industries together make up what share of the weight of items in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?
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Correct answer: B — 40.27%
PIB 2207434: the Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the IIP. (28.04% is refinery products' weight within the ICI; 19.85% is electricity's.)
Which of the eight core industries carries the largest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries (base 2011-12)?
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Correct answer: D — Petroleum Refinery Products
PIB 2207434: petroleum refinery products carry a weight of 28.04%, followed by electricity (19.85%), steel (17.92%) and coal (10.33%).
How many articles does the Financial Services Annex of the India–New Zealand FTA, concluded in December 2025, contain?
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Correct answer: B — 18
PIB 2207641: the annex text evolved into 18 articles, a notable advancement over standard GATS commitments.
Consider the following statements about the Financial Services Annex of the India–New Zealand FTA: 1. Negotiations on the annex began in May 2025. 2. It provides for cooperation on cross-border payments through Fast Payment Systems. 3. It requires India to allow unrestricted transfer of all financial data abroad. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207641: annex talks began in May 2025 and cover Fast Payment Systems cooperation. On financial information, each party keeps the right to maintain its own rules on transfer, processing and storage, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which of the following districts is NOT part of the Kashi-Vindhya Region approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Prayagraj
Amar Ujala and TOI: the region comprises Varanasi, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Sonbhadra; Prayagraj is not included.
How many districts make up the Kashi-Vindhya Region approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Seven
Amar Ujala and TOI: seven districts of the Varanasi and Vindhyachal divisions form the Kashi-Vindhya Region.
NITI Aayog's December 2025 report on internationalisation of higher education was prepared in collaboration with a consortium led by which institution?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Madras
PIB 2207555: the report is an outcome of collaboration between NITI Aayog and an IIT Madras-led consortium of knowledge partners.
At the launch of NITI Aayog's internationalisation report, what target for hosting international students by 2030 was suggested?
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Correct answer: D — 1 lakh
PIB 2207555: Dr. V.K. Paul said India must target to host 1 lakh international students across Central and State Universities by 2030.
Under which model will the Badwah–Dhamnod four-lane road, approved by the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet in December 2025, be built?
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Correct answer: C — Hybrid Annuity Model
TOI and ANI: the 62.795-km Badwah–Dhamnod four-lane road will be built under the Hybrid Annuity Model at ₹2,508.21 crore.
The WINDS programme approved by the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet in December 2025 is implemented under which central scheme?
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Correct answer: D — Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
ANI and Amar Ujala: the Cabinet approved implementation of the WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System) programme under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, with ₹434.58 crore.
Which shipyard designed and built 'Anjadip', the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft delivered to the Navy in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
PIB 2207446: Anjadip was indigenously designed and built by GRSE, Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
The ASW SWC 'Anjadip' is named after an island located off the coast of which place?
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Correct answer: A — Karwar, Karnataka
PIB 2207446: the ship derives its name from Anjadip Island located off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka.
Consider the following statements about the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft 'Anjadip': 1. It is the third of eight such craft. 2. These craft are the largest Indian naval warships propelled by waterjets. 3. It has about 60% indigenous content. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207446: Anjadip is the third of eight ASW SWC, and these are the largest Indian naval warships propelled by waterjets. Its indigenous content is over 80%, so statement 3 is wrong.
In December 2025, Jharkhand opened a free JEE–NEET coaching institute for Scheduled Tribe students named after:
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Correct answer: C — Shibu Soren
HT and ET (PTI): the Dishom Guru Shibu Soren Engineering (JEE) and Medical (NEET) Coaching Institute was inaugurated at Hindpiri, Ranchi.
How many students were selected for the first batch of Jharkhand's free JEE–NEET coaching institute for ST students?
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Correct answer: A — 300
HT and ET (PTI): 300 students, including 168 girls, were selected for the inaugural batch.
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), credited with preventing about ₹660 crore of cyber fraud losses, was developed by which body?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Telecommunications
PIB 2207376: the FRI is a DoT tool available on its Digital Intelligence Platform, adopted with support from RBI and NPCI.
Which citizen platform of DoT allows users to report suspected fraud communications and lost or stolen mobile handsets?
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Correct answer: A — Sanchar Saathi
PIB 2207376: citizens use the Sanchar Saathi platform to report suspected fraud communications, fraudulent connections and lost/stolen handsets.
The SIGMA 30N system, whose production India Optel Limited will take up under a December 2025 agreement with Safran, is a:
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Correct answer: B — Digital ring laser gyro inertial navigation system
PIB 2207389: SIGMA 30N is a digital ring laser gyro inertial navigation system used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars.
India Optel Limited, which signed a production agreement with Safran in December 2025, is categorised as a:
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Correct answer: C — Mini Navratna Defence PSU
PIB 2207389: India Optel Limited is a Mini Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking.
Who chairs the CAQM Expert Committee on abatement of air pollution from vehicular emissions, ratified in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Ashok Jhunjhunwala
PIB 2207584: the Expert Committee for abatement of air pollution caused by vehicular emissions is chaired by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, IIT Madras. Rajesh Verma is CAQM's Chairman.
According to CAQM's review in December 2025, paddy stubble burning incidents in the NCR fell by about how much compared with 2021?
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Correct answer: B — 92%
PIB 2207584: the Commission noted approximately 92% overall reduction in NCR compared with 2021.
TiNAI, launched by Tamil Nadu in December 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: B — Land Use Information System (geospatial portal)
BusinessLine and TN State Planning Commission: TiNAI is the Tamil Nadu Land Use Information System, a web-based geospatial platform.
Who launched Tamil Nadu's TNCSR portal and TiNAI on 22 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Udhayanidhi Stalin
BusinessLine and TN State Planning Commission: Deputy Chief Minister and Ex-officio Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission Udhayanidhi Stalin launched both portals.
Namrup, where the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of an Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project on 21 December 2025, is in which district of Assam?
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Correct answer: B — Dibrugarh
PIB 2207171: the foundation stone was laid at Namrup in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Which company is setting up the Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project at Namrup whose foundation stone was laid in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited
PIB 2207171: the project is the Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited.
Consider the following statements about the Namrup Ammonia-Urea project and urea supply, as stated by the Prime Minister on 21 December 2025: 1. Around ₹11,000 crore will be invested in the project. 2. The plant will produce more than 12 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer annually. 3. India's annual urea requirement is about 225 lakh metric tonnes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207171: the project costs around ₹11,000 crore and will produce over 12 LMT a year. India needs about 380 LMT of urea a year; 225 LMT was the production level in 2014, so statement 3 is wrong.
On which date is World Meditation Day observed?
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Correct answer: D — 21 December
PIB 2207153 and 2207225: the UN General Assembly declared 21 December as World Meditation Day. 21 June is International Day of Yoga.
Kanha Shanti Vanam, where the Vice-President attended World Meditation Day celebrations in December 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Telangana
PIB 2207153: the Vice-President participated in the celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana.
Consider the following statements about World Meditation Day: 1. The United Nations General Assembly declared 21 December as World Meditation Day. 2. India co-sponsored the UNGA resolution on World Meditation Day. 3. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, which marked the day, works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207153: India co-sponsored the UNGA resolution declaring 21 December as World Meditation Day. PIB 2207225: MDNIY is under the Ministry of Ayush, so statement 3 is wrong.
By what margin did Pakistan beat India in the Under-19 Asia Cup final played in Dubai on 21 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 191 runs
ESPNcricinfo, The Hindu and Indian Express: Pakistan made 347/8 and bowled India out for 156, winning by 191 runs.
Which Pakistan batter scored 172 off 113 balls in the Under-19 Asia Cup final against India in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Sameer Minhas
ESPNcricinfo and The Hindu: opener Sameer Minhas made 172 off 113 balls. Ali Raza took 4/42.
As of 30 November 2025, what share of total order value on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) was secured by Micro and Small Enterprises?
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Correct answer: A — 44.8%
PIB 2207151: MSEs secured ₹7.44 lakh crore, 44.8% of total order value on GeM. 25% is the mandated annual procurement target.
The 'Womaniya' initiative on the Government e-Marketplace is aimed at which group?
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Correct answer: C — Women entrepreneurs selling to the government
PIB 2207151: Womaniya focuses on onboarding, training and improving access to procurement opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Consider the following statements about the Government e-Marketplace (GeM): 1. Its Forward Auction module is used to sell government assets such as scrap, e-waste and old vehicles to the highest bidder. 2. Between December 2021 and November 2025, Forward Auctions worth more than ₹2,200 crore were facilitated. 3. Women-owned MSEs on GeM have secured cumulative orders worth over ₹78,000 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2207152 covers the Forward Auction module and the ₹2,200 crore figure; PIB 2207151 gives ₹78,066 crore for women-owned MSEs. All three are correct.
Where were the 28th Meeting of the NTCA and the 22nd Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant held on 21 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
PIB 2207157: both meetings were held on 21 December 2025 at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal.
'STRIPES', one of the publications released at the Sundarbans meetings in December 2025, is the outreach journal of which body?
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Correct answer: C — National Tiger Conservation Authority
PIB 2207157: the Minister released the latest issue of STRIPES, NTCA's outreach journal.
Consider the following statements about the 28th NTCA meeting held in December 2025: 1. Updates included the expansion of Project Cheetah to the Banni Grassland in Gujarat. 2. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister. 3. Ground surveys for the sixth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation commenced from November 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2207157: updates covered Project Cheetah's expansion to Gandhisagar WLS and the Banni Grassland in Gujarat, and AITE ground surveys began in November 2025. The meeting was chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, so statement 2 is wrong.
Under the definition accepted by the Supreme Court in November 2025, a landform in the Aravalli districts is an 'Aravalli Hill' if it rises how high above local relief?
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Correct answer: B — 100 metres or more
PIB 2207176: any landform in the Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local relief is an Aravalli Hill. 500 m is the proximity used to define a range.
Which state was the only one with a formally established definition of the Aravallis for regulating mining, in force since 9 January 2006?
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Correct answer: A — Rajasthan
PIB 2207176: only Rajasthan had a formal definition, based on its 2002 committee report using the Richard Murphy landform classification, followed since 9 January 2006.
Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court's 20 November 2025 judgment on the Aravallis: 1. Two or more Aravalli Hills within 500 metres of each other form an Aravalli Range. 2. MoEFCC was directed to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining through ICFRE for the entire Aravallis. 3. New mining leases were allowed to continue while the plan is prepared. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207176: the range definition uses 500 m proximity and the Court directed an MPSM through ICFRE. It imposed an interim moratorium on new leases until the MPSM is prepared, so statement 3 is wrong.
Where was the first anniversary of Fit India Sundays on Cycle celebrated on 21 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Rock Beach, Puducherry
PIB 2207165: over 1,500 cyclists took part in the first anniversary edition at Rock Beach, Puducherry.
What did Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launch at the first anniversary of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Carbon credit incentivisation on the Fit India Mobile App
PIB 2207165: the minister launched Fit India Mobile App carbon credit incentivisation for cycling enthusiasts.
In which city did India women beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first T20I on 21 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
The Hindu and Indian Express: the match was played at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
Who was the player of the match for her unbeaten 69 in the first India–Sri Lanka women's T20I on 21 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Jemimah Rodrigues
Indian Express: Jemimah Rodrigues was player of the match for 69 not out off 44 balls; The Hindu calls it her 14th T20I half-century.
Divya Kala Mela, which concluded at Kartavya Path on 21 December 2025, is organised by which department?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
PIB 2207272: the mela is organised by DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Divya Kala Mela held at Kartavya Path from 13 to 21 December 2025 was which edition since the initiative began in December 2022?
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Correct answer: C — 28th
PIB 2207272: the return to Kartavya Path marked the 28th edition since the initiative began at the same venue in December 2022.
Which Himachal Pradesh scheme was extended to all urban local bodies, as announced by the Chief Minister on 21 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Mukhya Mantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojana
TOI and PTI: the Mukhya Mantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojana was extended to urban areas as the 'Mukhya Mantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojana-Shahri'.
Under Himachal Pradesh's Mukhya Mantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojana-Shahri, what is the maximum One-Time Settlement assistance for an eligible small shopkeeper with an NPA business loan?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1 lakh
PTI (Outlook, NewsDrum): shopkeepers with turnover below ₹10 lakh and NPA business loans get OTS assistance of up to ₹1 lakh, borne by the state.
How many days of wage employment per rural household per financial year does the VB—G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantee?
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Correct answer: B — 125
PIB 2207187 and the Act's Section 5(1): not less than 125 days, up from the earlier 100-day entitlement under MGNREGA.
Which law does the VB—G RAM G Act, 2025, which received Presidential assent in December 2025, replace?
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Correct answer: D — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
PIB 2207187: the Act replaces MGNREGA, 2005. The Gazette text says MGNREGA stands repealed from an appointed date notified by the Centre.
Consider the following statements about the VB—G RAM G Act, 2025: 1. Centre–State cost sharing is 60:40, and 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States. 2. States may notify a pause aggregating to sixty days in a financial year during peak sowing and harvesting seasons. 3. The ceiling on administrative expenditure has been reduced from 9% to 6%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207187: cost sharing is 60:40 (90:10 for NE and Himalayan States) and States may notify a 60-day aggregate pause. The administrative ceiling was raised from 6% to 9%, so statement 3 is wrong.
Consider the following statements about the Gazette text of the VB—G RAM G Act, 2025: 1. It is Act No. 36 of 2025. 2. MGNREGA, 2005 stood repealed on the date of the President's assent. 3. The cost of the material component of works shall not exceed 40% at the district level. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
Gazette (PRS copy): Act No. 36 of 2025, and the material component is capped at 40% at district level. MGNREGA stands repealed from an appointed date notified by the Centre, not on the date of assent, so statement 2 is wrong.
With the inauguration of the Bhopal Metro on 20 December 2025, Bhopal became which city in India to have an operational Metro network?
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Correct answer: C — 26th
PIB 2207030: Bhopal became the 26th city in India with an operational Metro network.
After the Bhopal Metro opened in December 2025, what was the total length of India's operational Metro network?
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Correct answer: D — 1,090 km
PIB 2207030: India's total operational Metro network reached 1,090 km. The Hindu quotes the earlier figure as 1,083 km before the 7 km Bhopal stretch.
Before Bhopal, which city of Madhya Pradesh already had Metro services?
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Correct answer: A — Indore
The Hindu: Union Minister Manohar Lal said Bhopal became the second city in the State after Indore to have Metro connectivity.
In which year did Japan launch the 'Central Asia plus Japan' Dialogue, whose first leaders' summit was held in Tokyo in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 2004
MOFA Japan: Japan established the CA+JAD framework in 2004; the first Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in Kazakhstan in August 2004.
According to the Tokyo Declaration of December 2025, which country will host the next 'Central Asia plus Japan' summit under the agreed rotation?
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Correct answer: A — Kazakhstan
Tokyo Declaration, para 53: the host country thereafter will be in English alphabetical order starting with Kazakhstan.
Consider the following statements about the 'Central Asia plus Japan' Dialogue summit of 20 December 2025: 1. It was the first meeting of the dialogue at the leaders' level. 2. It was chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. 3. Afghanistan attended as a full member of the dialogue. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
MOFA Japan: the summit was held for the first time at leaders' level and chaired by PM Takaichi. Attendees were the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; Afghanistan was not a participant, so statement 3 is wrong.
What is the theme of Swachh Survekshan 2025-26, launched in December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Swacchata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath
PIB 2207000: the SS 2025-26 theme is 'Swacchata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath'.
Swachh Survekshan assessed 73 urban local bodies in 2016. About how many did it assess in 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 4,900
PIB 2207000: from 73 ULBs in 2016 to assessing about 4,900 ULBs in 2024.
Consider the following statements about Swachh Survekshan 2025-26: 1. Citizens can give feedback round the year through platforms including the Vote For My City app and QR codes. 2. Assessment has been expanded from Ganga towns to river towns across the country. 3. The on-ground survey will be conducted by about 300 assessors over 15 days. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207000: feedback is open round the year and river towns are now covered. The survey uses over 3,000 trained assessors for 45 days, so statement 3 is wrong.
Under the MoU exchanged in December 2025, the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal will collaborate with which Dutch institution?
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Correct answer: D — National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam
PIB 2207128: the MoU brings together the NMHC and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is envisioned to showcase India's maritime legacy of about how many years?
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Correct answer: C — 4,500
PIB 2207128: the NMHC is envisioned as a world-class complex showcasing India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy.