Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
GRAP Stage IV, invoked across Delhi-NCR on 13 December 2025, corresponds to which air quality category?
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Correct answer: D — Severe+
PIB 2203635: Stage IV of GRAP is for 'Severe+' air quality, with Delhi's AQI above 450.
Which body invokes the stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Air Quality Management
PIB 2203635: the GRAP Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) invoked Stage IV; CPCB publishes the AQI bulletin.
How many fake IRCTC user accounts had Indian Railways deactivated, as stated on 13 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 3.03 crore
PIB 2203516: Indian Railways deactivated 3.03 crore fake accounts; another 2.7 crore were suspended or identified for suspension.
Which trains were directed on 13 December 2025 to serve local cuisine of the regions they pass through, before extending it to all trains?
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Correct answer: B — Vande Bharat trains
PIB 2203516: the Railway Minister directed officials to provide local cuisine in Vande Bharat trains, to be expanded to all trains progressively.
In which year was the Bombay Gymkhana, honoured with a commemorative stamp on its 150th anniversary in December 2025, established?
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Correct answer: B — 1875
PIB 2203464: the Bombay Gymkhana was established in 1875.
Who released the commemorative postage stamp on the 150th anniversary of the Bombay Gymkhana on 13 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Jyotiraditya Scindia
PIB 2203464: Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia released the stamp in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora.
The Natyashastra, discussed at an IGNCA programme on 13 December 2025, is inscribed in which UNESCO register?
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Correct answer: B — Memory of the World Register
PIB 2203646: a short film on the inscription of the Natyashastra in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register was shown.
Where was the 20th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage being held in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Red Fort, Delhi
PIB 2203646: the IGNCA programme was organised during the 20th Session of the Committee at the Red Fort, Delhi.
What were SAIL's total sales in April–November 2025, as reported on 13 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 12.7 million tonnes
PIB 2203613: SAIL sold 12.7 MT in April–November 2025, up 14% from 11.1 MT in the corresponding period last year.
By how much did SAIL's retail sales grow in November 2025 compared with November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 69%
PIB 2203613: retail sales surged 69% to 0.14 MT in November 2025 from 0.084 MT; overall November sales grew 27%.
According to the Union MoS for Cooperation at the 4th Cooperative Mela in Guwahati on 13 December 2025, what goal does the National Cooperative Policy 2025 set?
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Correct answer: B — A cooperative in every village by 2026
PIB 2203483: Assam is aligned with the National Cooperative Policy 2025's goal of establishing one cooperative in every village by 2026.
The 4th Cooperative Mela 2025, inaugurated on 13 December 2025, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Guwahati
PIB 2203483: the mela was inaugurated at AEI Ground, Chandmari, Guwahati.
Who was the Reviewing Officer of the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, on 13 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — General Anil Chauhan
PIB 2203490: General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, was the Reviewing Officer; the CAS, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, led a Kiran formation flypast.
Which award did Flying Officer Tanishq Aggarwal receive along with the President's Plaque at the AFA graduation parade on 13 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Nawanagar Sword of Honour
PIB 2203490: Tanishq Aggarwal received the President's Plaque and the Nawanagar Sword of Honour for standing first in the Pilot Course.
Of the 244 flight cadets who graduated at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, on 13 December 2025, how many were women?
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Correct answer: C — 29
PIB 2203490: 244 flight cadets graduated, including 215 male and 29 female cadets.
The first-ever fisheries Investors' Meet in Lakshadweep was held on 13 December 2025 at which island?
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Correct answer: C — Bangaram
PIB 2203639: the Investors' Meet was held at Bangaram Island, UT of Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep accounts for roughly what share of India's Exclusive Economic Zone, as highlighted at the fisheries investors' meet?
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Correct answer: C — 20%
PIB 2203682: Lakshadweep possesses nearly 20% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
At what cost did the Union Cabinet approve the Census of India 2027 on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹11,718.24 crore
PIB 2202983: the Cabinet approved conducting the Census of India 2027 at a cost of ₹11,718.24 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Census of India 2027 approved on 12 December 2025: 1. Houselisting and Housing Census will be held from April to September 2026. 2. Caste data will be captured during the Houselisting phase. 3. Population Enumeration in Ladakh will be held in September 2026. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2202983: Houselisting runs April–September 2026; Population Enumeration is in February 2027 but September 2026 for Ladakh and snow-bound areas; caste data is captured in the second phase (Population Enumeration), not Houselisting.
Under the CoalSETU window approved on 12 December 2025, up to what share of their coal linkage quantity can linkage holders export?
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Correct answer: C — 50%
PIB 2202994: coal linkage holders will be eligible to export coal up to 50% of their coal linkage quantity.
Consider the following statements about the CoalSETU window: 1. Coking coal will be offered under the window. 2. Traders are not allowed to participate. 3. The window is added to the NRS Linkage Auction Policy of 2016. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 and 3 only
PIB 2202994: CoalSETU is a new window in the NRS Linkage Auction Policy of 2016; coking coal shall not be offered and traders shall not be allowed to participate.
How much monthly assistance do women heads of families receive under Tamil Nadu's Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, whose second phase was launched on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,000
The Hindu and PTI (12 Dec 2025): KMUT provides ₹1,000 a month directly to the bank accounts of women heads of families.
About how many additional women were included when the second phase of Tamil Nadu's Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam was launched on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 16.9 lakh
The Hindu: 16,94,339 women were added; Times of India: 16.9 lakh more women; PTI: about 17 lakh.
The Odisha Watermanship and Lifeguard Institute (OSWALI), inaugurated on 12 December 2025, is located near which place?
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Correct answer: A — Konark
PTI, OdishaBytes and Kalinga TV (12 Dec 2025): OSWALI was inaugurated at Ramchandi near Konark in Puri district.
Consider the following statements about OSWALI, inaugurated in Odisha on 12 December 2025: 1. It was built at a cost of ₹12 crore. 2. It will train only Odisha's own fire services personnel. 3. An MoU was signed with the National Institute of Water Sports, Goa. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PTI, OdishaBytes, Kalinga TV and TOI: OSWALI cost ₹12 crore and will train fire personnel from across the country, CAPFs, NDRF, police and volunteers; an MoU was signed with NIWS, Goa.
What is the outlay of the Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana for 2025-26 to 2030-31?
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Correct answer: A — ₹476.03 crore
PIB 2203165: the Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana has an outlay of ₹476.03 crore for 2025-26 to 2030-31.
In which state did the Prime Minister launch the National Makhana Board on 15 September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Bihar
PIB 2203165: the Board was officially launched by the Prime Minister in Bihar on 15 September 2025.
Which Indian festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 20th session of the ICH Committee held in New Delhi?
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Correct answer: D — Deepavali
PIB 2203188: one of the highlights of the session was the inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO's Representative List. Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela and Navroz were inscribed in earlier years.
Who is the Director-General of UNESCO, thanked by India at the close of the 20th ICH Committee session on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Khaled El-Enany
PIB 2203188: India thanked UNESCO Director-General Dr Khaled El-Enany; Fumiko Ohinata is Secretary of the Convention.
India's resolution on 'Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires' was adopted on 12 December 2025 at which forum?
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Correct answer: D — UNEA-7 at Nairobi
PIB 2203299: the resolution was adopted at the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Global Fire Management Hub, cited in India's UNEA-7 resolution on wildfires, was established in 2023 by which two bodies?
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Correct answer: A — FAO and UNEP
PIB 2203299: the Global Fire Management Hub was established in 2023 by FAO and UNEP.
According to the UNEP report 'Spreading Like Wildfire' cited by India at UNEA-7, by how much may wildfires rise by 2100 if current trends continue?
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Correct answer: D — 50%
PIB 2203299: the report warns wildfires may rise by 14% by 2030, 30% by 2050 and 50% by 2100.
What is the Minimum Support Price for milling copra for the 2026 season, approved on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹12,027 per quintal
PIB 2202999: MSP for FAQ milling copra is ₹12,027 per quintal and for ball copra ₹12,500 per quintal for the 2026 season.
Which agencies act as Central Nodal Agencies for procurement of copra under the Price Support Scheme?
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Correct answer: A — NAFED and NCCF
PIB 2202999: NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF) will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies for copra procurement under the PSS.
Shivraj Patil, who passed away on 12 December 2025, served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 1991–1996
The Hindu (12 Dec 2025): Patil was the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil passed away on 12 December 2025 in which town?
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Correct answer: D — Latur
NDTV, Indian Express, The Hindu and India Today (12 Dec 2025): he passed away at his home in Latur, Maharashtra, aged 90.
President Droupadi Murmu attended a public function and launched development projects on 12 December 2025 at which place in Manipur?
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Correct answer: B — Senapati
PIB 2202871: the President attended a public function at Senapati, Manipur, on 12 December 2025 and laid foundation stones and inaugurated projects.
The Nupee Lal Memorial Complex in Imphal, visited by President Murmu on 12 December 2025, commemorates:
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Correct answer: D — Uprisings of Manipuri women against the British and feudal powers
PIB 2202871: the Memorial Complex is a tribute to the sacrifice of Manipuri women and commemorates their uprisings against the British and feudal powers.
What was the all-India year-on-year CPI (General) inflation rate for November 2025 (provisional), released on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 0.71%
PIB 2202940: headline CPI inflation for November 2025 was 0.71% (provisional), 46 basis points higher than October 2025. 1.40% was urban inflation and 2.95% housing inflation.
What was the all-India food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) in November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — –3.91%
PIB 2202940: all-India CFPI inflation was –3.91% (provisional); rural was –4.05% and urban –3.60%.
Through which platform will India Post employees facilitate mutual fund transactions under the MoU signed between the Department of Posts and BSE on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — BSE StAR MF
PIB 2203264: certified postal officials will facilitate mutual fund transactions through the BSE StAR MF platform.
For how long is the Department of Posts–BSE MoU on mutual fund distribution, signed on 12 December 2025, valid?
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Correct answer: C — Three years
PIB 2203264: the MoU will remain valid for three years from 12.12.2025 to 11.12.2028, with provisions for renewal.
Who chairs the Expert Committee constituted by CAQM on vehicular emissions in Delhi-NCR, announced on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala
PIB 2203221: Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras is Chairperson; Dr Randeep Guleria is Co-Chairperson; Prof. Sagnik Dey and Dr Arunabha Ghosh are members.
Who is the Chairman of the UPSC who announced the 'Centre of Choice' facility for PwBD candidates on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Ajay Kumar
PIB 2202733: UPSC Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar spoke about the initiative.
Which Chief Minister declared his State free of Naxalism after the surrender of two Maoists in Balaghat on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Mohan Yadav
Akashvani (12 Dec 2025): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared the state free of Naxalism following the surrender of two Maoists in Balaghat district.
What was the combined reward on Maoists Deepak and Rohit, who surrendered at the CRPF camp in Korka, Balaghat on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹43 lakh
The Hindu and NIE: the two carried a combined reward of ₹43 lakh (Deepak ₹29 lakh, Rohit ₹14 lakh); Akashvani gives the same individual rewards.
With reference to the Maoist surrender in Balaghat on 11 December 2025, consider the following statements: 1. The surrender took place at a CRPF camp in Korka. 2. The two cadres belonged to the Maharashtra–Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone of the CPI (Maoist). 3. The surrender took place before the Chief Minister in person at Bhopal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu and NIE: surrender at the CRPF camp at Korka by cadres of the MMC zone; Akashvani: the CM addressed the programme via video conference from Bhopal, so the surrender was not before him in person.
Where did Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launch the Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana 2.0 on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Sonipat
Hindustan Times, The Tribune and The Statesman: the scheme was launched at the state-level Antyodaya Utthan Mela in Sonipat on Thursday, 11 December 2025.
Under Haryana's Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, the government aims to raise the annual income of the poorest families to at least:
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Correct answer: C — ₹1.8 lakh
Hindustan Times and The Tribune (12 Dec 2025): the aim is to raise the annual income of the poorest families to at least ₹1.8 lakh (₹1,80,000).
In the first phase of Haryana's Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, Antyodaya Melas were held at how many locations?
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Correct answer: D — 166
Hindustan Times and The Tribune (12 Dec 2025): in the first phase, Antyodaya Melas were held at 166 locations; in the second phase they will be held across the state.
How many projects are covered by Andhra Pradesh's State Water Action Plan, ratified by the State Cabinet on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 506
The Hindu and New Indian Express (12 Dec 2025): the plan covers 506 projects with a revised administrative sanction of ₹9,514.63 crore; 281 additional projects were allowed under the lump-sum method.
The six-lane elevated corridor cleared by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on 11 December 2025 links the Amaravati seed access road to which National Highway?
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Correct answer: A — NH-16
Hindustan Times and New Indian Express (12 Dec 2025): the ₹532.57-crore project is a six-lane elevated corridor linking the seed access road to NH-16.
India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel began commercial service on 11 December 2025 at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Namo Ghat, Varanasi
PIB 2202412: Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the vessel's commercial operation at Namo Ghat, Varanasi.
Which shipyard built India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel, owned by IWAI?
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Correct answer: A — Cochin Shipyard Ltd
PIB 2202412: the vessel, owned by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, was built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
What type of fuel cell system powers the hydrogen passenger vessel launched at Varanasi on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell
PIB 2202412: the vessel operates on a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell system that converts stored hydrogen into electricity, releasing only water.
The agreed minutes of which session of the India–Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation were signed in Mumbai on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 22nd
PIB 2202562: the defining outcome was the signing of the agreed minutes of the 22nd session of the India-Italy JCEC.
Which Italian company was awarded three major steel plant projects by SAIL, announced at the India–Italy Business Forum on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Danieli Group
PIB 2202562: SAIL awarded three steel plant projects (Blast Furnace, Slab Caster, Hot Strip Mill) to Italy's Danieli Group, worth around €500 million.
Under which section of the Competition Act, 2002 did the CCI issue its 11 December 2025 cease-and-desist order against three Maharashtra liquor trade associations?
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Correct answer: C — Section 27
PIB 2202509: the order was issued under Section 27; the case began on information under Section 19(1)(a), and office-bearers were held liable under Section 48.
Which of the following was NOT among the associations directed by the CCI on 11 December 2025 to cease anti-competitive practices?
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Correct answer: D — Mumbai Liquor Distributors Federation
PIB 2202509: the order named the Maharashtra Wine Merchants Association, the Pune District Wine Merchants Association and the Association of Progressive Liquor Vendors.
Which organisation released the report 'Deepening the Corporate Bond Market in India' on 11 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — NITI Aayog
PIB 2202453: NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam released the report in New Delhi on 11 December 2025.
The Access and Benefit Sharing funds released by the National Biodiversity Authority on 11 December 2025 are for the conservation of which species?
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Correct answer: B — Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus)
PIB 2202109: the ₹6.2 crore supports conservation of the endangered Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus).
Under which law is the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism, used by the NBA for its 11 December 2025 release, provided?
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Correct answer: C — Biological Diversity Act, 2002
PIB 2202109: the funds were released under the ABS mechanism of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.