Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fast-track mergers, whose scope was widened by the MCA in September 2025, are governed by which section of the Companies Act, 2013?
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Correct answer: C — Section 233
Section 233 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides for fast-track mergers through Central Government approval.
Under Section 233 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Central Government's power to approve fast-track mergers is delegated to:
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Correct answer: A — Regional Directors
The release says fast-track mergers are approved by the Central Government, delegated to Regional Directors.
Consider the following statements about the September 2025 amendment widening fast-track mergers: 1. Before the amendment, Section 233 already allowed mergers between two or more small companies. 2. The amendment allows fast-track mergers of subsidiaries of the same holding company even where the transferor company is listed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Section 233(1) already covered small companies and holding–wholly owned subsidiary mergers. The new class for fellow subsidiaries applies only where the transferor company is not listed, so statement 2 is wrong.
The Unified RERA Portal was launched on 4 September 2025 at the meeting of which body?
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Correct answer: A — Central Advisory Council under the RERA Act, 2016
Union Minister Manohar Lal launched the portal at the 5th meeting of the Central Advisory Council constituted under the RERA Act, 2016.
In which year was the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, under which the Unified RERA Portal's Central Advisory Council is constituted, enacted?
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Correct answer: B — 2016
The Central Advisory Council is constituted under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.
Where was SEMICON India 2025 held from 2 to 4 September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi
SEMICON India 2025 concluded at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
Participants from how many countries and regions took part in SEMICON India 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 48
The event brought together over 350 exhibiting companies and participants from 48 countries and regions.
According to NITI Aayog's pulses report of September 2025, India's import dependence on pulses fell from 29% in 2015–16 to what level by 2022–23?
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Correct answer: B — 10.4%
Production rose 59.4% to 26.06 MT by 2022–23, reducing import dependence from 29% to 10.4%.
NITI Aayog's report on pulses (September 2025) recommends 'horizontal expansion'. This refers to:
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Correct answer: B — Increasing area under pulses, e.g. by using rice fallow lands
Horizontal expansion aims to increase area under pulses by using untapped land such as rice fallows and intercropping; vertical expansion focuses on yields.
Consider the following statements based on NITI Aayog's pulses report of September 2025: 1. About 80% of India's pulse production depends on rainfed areas. 2. With focused strategies, domestic pulse supply could reach 48.44 MT by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The report says nearly 80% of production depends on rainfed areas, and that focused strategies could take supply to 48.44 MT by 2030. Both statements are correct.
Under which mission will IMD install four additional radars in Jammu and Kashmir, as announced in September 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Mission Mausam
Dr. Jitendra Singh said IMD will install 4 additional radars in J&K under Mission Mausam.
How many IMD radars were already operational in Jammu and Kashmir when four more were announced in September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Three
The Minister said four additional radars would be installed, with three radars already operational.
Piyush Goyal, who took charge as Secretary, Ministry of Mines on 4 September 2025, previously served as CEO of:
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Correct answer: A — NATGRID
Piyush Goyal, a 1994-batch IAS officer, previously served as CEO of NATGRID under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What is the outlay of the critical mineral recycling incentive scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on 3 September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,500 crore
The Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to develop critical mineral recycling capacity.
The critical mineral recycling incentive scheme approved in September 2025 is part of which mission?
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Correct answer: C — National Critical Mineral Mission
The scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), aimed at domestic capacity and supply chain resilience in critical minerals.
What share of the critical mineral recycling scheme's outlay is earmarked for small and new recyclers, including start-ups?
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Correct answer: D — One-third
One-third of the scheme outlay has been earmarked for small, new recyclers including start-ups.
Consider the following statements about the critical mineral recycling incentive scheme approved in September 2025: 1. Units engaged only in black mass production are eligible for incentives. 2. The total incentive per large entity is capped at ₹50 crore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The scheme covers only the value chain involved in actual extraction of critical minerals, not black mass production alone, so statement 1 is wrong. Total incentive is capped at ₹50 crore for large entities and ₹25 crore for small ones.
Under the two-rate GST structure approved by the 56th GST Council, what are the standard rate and the merit rate?
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Correct answer: B — 18% and 5%
The Council rationalised the four-tier structure into a two-rate 'Simple Tax' with a standard rate of 18% and a merit rate of 5%.
What special de-merit rate did the 56th GST Council approve for a select few goods and services?
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Correct answer: D — 40%
Alongside the 18% and 5% rates, the Council approved a special de-merit rate of 40% for a select few goods and services.
From which date did the GST rate changes on services recommended by the 56th GST Council take effect?
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Correct answer: A — 22 September 2025
The changes in GST rates on services, and on all goods except pan masala, gutkha, cigarettes and other tobacco products, were to be implemented from 22 September 2025.
Consider the following statements about the decisions of the 56th GST Council: 1. All individual life and health insurance policies were exempted from GST. 2. GST on small cars and motorcycles of up to 350cc was reduced from 28% to 18%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Council exempted all individual life insurance (term, ULIP, endowment) and individual health insurance policies, and cut GST on small cars and motorcycles up to 350cc from 28% to 18%.
To correct the inverted duty structure in the manmade textile sector, the 56th GST Council reduced GST on manmade fibre from 18% to:
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Correct answer: B — 5%
The Council corrected the long-pending inverted duty structure by reducing GST on manmade fibre from 18% to 5% and on manmade yarn from 12% to 5%.
On which date was the Union Public Service Commission established, according to the UPSC centenary announcement of September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 1 October 1926
UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar recalled that UPSC was established on 1 October 1926.
UPSC's 'Pratibha Setu' portal is meant for:
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Correct answer: B — Candidates who reached the interview stage but did not make the final list
Through Pratibha Setu, candidates who reached the interview stage but could not make the final list get recruitment opportunities in other organisations.
Consider the following statements about UPSC's centenary plans announced in September 2025: 1. The centenary year runs from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. 2. The proposed Centre of Excellence will be a repository of best practices of UPSC only, excluding State PSCs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The centenary year runs from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. The proposed CoE will be a repository of best practices of both UPSC and the State PSCs, so statement 2 is wrong.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, reviewed by the Navy Chief in September 2025, is being developed by which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
The NMHC is being developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with support from the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Navy.
Consider the following statements: 1. The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is spread over 400 acres. 2. Phase 1A of the complex is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The PIB release says the NMHC is spread over 400 acres, and that Phase 1A is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, not 2027. So only statement 1 is correct.
The Quarterly Bulletin of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (QBUSE), first released in September 2025, is the quarterly edition of which survey?
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Correct answer: C — Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises
QBUSE is the quarterly edition of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE).
According to the first QBUSE, employment in the unincorporated sector in January–March 2025 was:
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Correct answer: D — 13.13 crore
Employment crossed 13 crore for the first time in January–March 2025, reaching 13.13 crore.
Consider the following statements based on the first QBUSE released in September 2025: 1. The number of unincorporated establishments was higher in April–June 2025 than in January–March 2025. 2. Female workers accounted for over 28% of total employment in both quarters. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Establishments rose from 7.85 crore (January–March) to 7.94 crore (April–June 2025), and women made up over 28% of employment in both quarters. Both statements are correct.
China's military parade in Beijing on 3 September 2025 marked which anniversary?
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Correct answer: B — 80th anniversary of the end of World War II
The parade marked 80 years since Japan's defeat and the end of World War II.
Which two leaders flanked Xi Jinping at the Beijing military parade of 3 September 2025, in the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders?
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Correct answer: A — Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un
Reuters reported that Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un flanked Xi in the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders.
At the Beijing parade of 3 September 2025, Xi Jinping said the world faced a choice between:
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Correct answer: D — Peace and war
Reuters reported that Xi warned the world was facing a choice between peace or war in his keynote speech.
Which institute led the study, reported in September 2025, providing the strongest observational evidence of interstellar dust grains aligning with the Galaxy's magnetic field?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
The team was led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of DST.
The IIA-led dust alignment study used the POL-2 polarimeter on which telescope?
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Correct answer: A — James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, Hawaii
The researchers used the POL-2 polarimeter on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii to map the cloud G34.43+0.24.
The 'Guidelines for Co-location of Anganwadi Centres with Schools' launched on 3 September 2025 were jointly released by the Ministry of Education and which ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Women & Child Development
Dharmendra Pradhan (Education) and Annapurna Devi (Women & Child Development) jointly launched the guidelines.
Under NEP 2020, three years of pre-school education are integrated into which curricular structure?
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Correct answer: B — 5+3+3+4
NEP 2020 recognises ECCE as the foundation of learning by integrating three years of pre-school into the 5+3+3+4 structure.
Karma Puja, on which PM Modi greeted the nation on 3 September 2025, is a festival particularly associated with which community?
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Correct answer: A — Tribal community
PM Modi extended wishes to all citizens, especially the tribal community, on Karma Puja, a festival in which worship of nature holds special significance.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 10th convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu on 3 September 2025. Where is the university located?
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Correct answer: A — Thiruvarur
The 10th convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu was held at Thiruvarur.
Where did PM Modi inaugurate SEMICON India 2025 on 2 September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
The Prime Minister inaugurated SEMICON India 2025 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.
At SEMICON India 2025, PM Modi described chips as:
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Correct answer: B — Digital diamonds
The PIB release quotes the Prime Minister: 'Chips are digital diamonds'.
The India Semiconductor Mission, whose first Made-in-India chips were presented to the PM in September 2025, was launched in:
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Correct answer: A — December 2021
Launched in December 2021, the ISM moved from approvals to production in about three and a half years.
The 'Deep Tech Alliance' announced at SEMICON India 2025 has close to how much committed?
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Correct answer: D — $1 billion
Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Deep Tech Alliance with close to a billion dollars already committed.
Consider the following statements made at SEMICON India 2025: 1. The first set of Made-in-India chips presented to the PM came from a pilot line. 2. ISM 2.0 is planned to cover only chip design, leaving fabs and OSAT out of scope. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The first chips came from a pilot line. ISM 2.0 will broaden support for fabs, OSAT units, capital equipment and materials to cover the entire value chain, so statement 2 is wrong.
When was India's Account Aggregator framework officially launched?
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Correct answer: C — 2 September 2021
The AA framework was officially launched on 2 September 2021; RBI's Master Directions had been issued in 2016.
In India's Digital Public Infrastructure stack, the Account Aggregator framework serves as which layer?
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Correct answer: C — Data exchange layer
AA was recognised during India's G20 Presidency as the data exchange layer, complementing Aadhaar (identity) and UPI (payments).
Consider the following statements about the Account Aggregator ecosystem as of September 2025: 1. RBI issued the Master Directions for Account Aggregators in 2016, before the framework's official launch. 2. Fewer than 50 crore financial accounts have been enabled for data sharing through the framework. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
RBI issued the Master Directions in 2016 and the framework launched in 2021. Over 2.2 billion (220 crore) accounts are enabled, so statement 2 is wrong.
Exercise MAITREE, whose 14th edition began in September 2025, is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
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Correct answer: C — Thailand
MAITREE is the India–Thailand joint military exercise; its 14th edition opened at Umroi, Meghalaya.
Where is the 14th edition of Exercise MAITREE (September 2025) being held?
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Correct answer: B — Joint Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya
MAITREE-XIV opened at the Joint Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya; the 13th edition was held at Fort Vachiraprakan, Thailand.
Consider the following statements about Exercise MAITREE-XIV: 1. The Indian contingent is drawn from a battalion of the Madras Regiment. 2. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The 120-member Indian contingent is from the Madras Regiment, and the exercise focuses on company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Both are correct.
The 'Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited' launched by PM Modi on 2 September 2025 belongs to which state?
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Correct answer: D — Bihar
PM Modi launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited for women associated with Jeevika in Bihar.
According to PM Modi, what is a key feature of the Jeevika Nidhi system launched in September 2025?
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Correct answer: A — It is fully digital and can be operated via mobile phone
The PM said the Jeevika Nidhi system is fully digital, eliminating physical visits – everything can be done via mobile phone.
World Coconut Day, on which the Coconut Development Board launched revised schemes in 2025, is observed on:
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Correct answer: A — 2 September
The CDB celebrated World Coconut Day on 2 September 2025 at Angamaly, Kerala, launching revised schemes.
Under the Coconut Development Board's revised cost norms announced in September 2025, the Area Expansion Programme subsidy was raised to:
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Correct answer: C — ₹56,000 per hectare
The subsidy for the Area Expansion Programme was raised from ₹6,500 per hectare to ₹56,000.
Which body launched the BHARATI initiative in September 2025 to empower 100 agri-food startups?
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Correct answer: B — APEDA
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched BHARATI.
APEDA's BHARATI initiative supports its vision of achieving how much in agri-food exports of Scheduled Products by 2030?
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Correct answer: C — $50 billion
BHARATI is conceived as part of APEDA's vision to achieve $50 billion in agri-food exports for its Scheduled Products by 2030.
The 'Kapas Kisan' app launched in September 2025 was developed by:
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Correct answer: B — Cotton Corporation of India
The Kapas Kisan app was developed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) under the Ministry of Textiles for MSP cotton procurement.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a feature of the Kapas Kisan app?
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Correct answer: D — Crop loan disbursement
The app offers self-registration, slot booking, real-time updates and payment tracking; crop loan disbursement is not among its listed features.
Which institute's study, reported in September 2025, found airborne pathogenic bacteria to be twice as high over densely populated parts of Delhi?
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Correct answer: A — Bose Institute
Scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of DST, carried out the study.
According to the Bose Institute study on Delhi's air, airborne pathogenic bacteria hitch a ride mainly on:
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Correct answer: B — PM2.5 particles
The study found pathogenic bacteria were higher due to higher concentrations of PM2.5, whose tiny particles carry bacteria deep into the lungs.
In September 2025, the CCI approved the acquisition of certain share capital and voting rights of YES Bank by which bank?
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Correct answer: D — Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
The CCI approved the acquisition of certain share capital and voting rights of YES Bank by Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, which got CCI approval for a YES Bank stake in September 2025, has an offshore branch in India at:
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Correct answer: A — GIFT City, Gandhinagar
The CCI release says SMBC has branches in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai and an offshore branch in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 120th foundation day of which bank in Chennai on 2 September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — City Union Bank
The President attended the 120th foundation day celebrations of City Union Bank in Chennai.
After the avian influenza incident at the Delhi Zoo in 2025, frontline staff were screened by a team from:
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Correct answer: B — National Centre for Disease Control
Frontline staff handling the aviary, disinfection and carcass disposal were screened by a team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
In which Chinese city did PM Modi meet President Putin on 1 September 2025 on the sidelines of the SCO Summit?
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Correct answer: C — Tianjin
PM Modi met President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.
At their Tianjin meeting in September 2025, PM Modi said he looked forward to receiving President Putin in India for which India–Russia Annual Summit?
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Correct answer: D — 23rd
PM Modi conveyed that he looked forward to receiving President Putin in India for the 23rd Annual Summit later in the year.
How is the India–Russia partnership described in the PIB readout of the Modi–Putin meeting of 1 September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership
The leaders reaffirmed support for strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Consider the following statements about the Modi–Putin meeting of 1 September 2025: 1. The leaders discussed cooperation in the economic, financial and energy sectors. 2. PM Modi stressed the need to expedite a cessation of the conflict in Ukraine and find a durable peace settlement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The PIB readout says the leaders discussed economic, financial and energy cooperation, and that the PM emphasised expediting a cessation of the Ukraine conflict and a durable peace settlement. Both are correct.
In which Chinese city was the 25th SCO Council of Heads of State held from 31 August to 1 September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Tianjin
The 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State was held in Tianjin, China, from 31 August to 1 September 2025.
At the Tianjin summit, the PM said India's SCO policy rests on three pillars spelling S-C-O. What are they?
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Correct answer: A — Security, Connectivity, Opportunity
The PM said India's vision and policy towards the SCO are built on three pillars: S – Security, C – Connectivity and O – Opportunity.
Which country took over the next presidency of the SCO after the Tianjin summit of 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Kyrgyzstan
The PM congratulated Kyrgyzstan on taking over the next presidency of the SCO.
What new platform did PM Modi propose within the SCO at the Tianjin summit to foster people-to-people ties?
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Correct answer: B — Civilizational Dialogue Forum
The PM proposed commencing a Civilizational Dialogue Forum within the SCO to foster greater people-to-people ties and cultural understanding.
Consider the following statements about the SCO Tianjin Declaration of 1 September 2025: 1. It strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. 2. India did not join the Tianjin Declaration because of differences on terrorism. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Tianjin Declaration was adopted by all members including India and Pakistan, and it said perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice.
Exercise Bright Star 2025, in which INS Trikand participated, was hosted by which country?
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Correct answer: B — Egypt
Bright Star 2025 was hosted by Egypt from 1 to 10 September 2025; INS Trikand called at Alexandria for it.
Exercise Bright Star is a multilateral exercise of which command?
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Correct answer: A — US Central Command
Bright Star 2025 is a multilateral US Central Command exercise across the air, land and sea domains.
Consider the following statements about India's participation in Exercise Bright Star 2025: 1. Only the Indian Navy took part, through INS Trikand. 2. The exercise focuses on interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threat scenarios. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Besides INS Trikand, contingents from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force also participated, so statement 1 is wrong. The exercise enhances interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threat scenarios.