Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The National Workshop on Jain Manuscriptology held at Gujarat University on 19 July 2025 was funded under which scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs?
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Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
PIB (Minority Affairs): the workshop was funded by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
According to Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh (Patna, 19 July 2025), around how many startups in India are women-led?
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Correct answer: C — 76,000
PIB (DoPT): Dr Jitendra Singh said around 76,000 startups in India today are women-led, a large number of them from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.
Which app did Dr Jitendra Singh launch at the 'Viksit Bihar' women's participation conference in Patna on 19 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Jeevika E-Learning Management System App
PIB (DoPT): the minister launched the Jeevika E-Learning Management System App, aimed at providing accessible learning for women.
On 18 July 2025, the Prime Minister launched development projects worth how much in Motihari, Bihar?
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Correct answer: B — Over Rs 7,000 crore
PIB (PMO): the PM laid foundation stones, inaugurated and dedicated projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore in Motihari; Rs 5,400 crore was the Durgapur figure the same day.
The Amrit Bharat Express flagged off from Motihari on 18 July 2025 runs directly from Motihari-Bapudham to which station?
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Correct answer: D — Anand Vihar, Delhi
PIB (PMO): the PM said the Amrit Bharat Express will now run directly from Motihari-Bapudham to Anand Vihar, Delhi.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, mentioned by the PM at Motihari, how many of the most backward districts in terms of agriculture will be identified?
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Correct answer: C — 100
PIB (PMO): the PM said the Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, under which 100 most backward districts in terms of agriculture will be identified.
Which shipyard built INS Nistar, the first indigenous Diving Support Vessel, commissioned on 18 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Hindustan Shipyard Limited
PIB (MoD): INS Nistar is the first of the two Diving Support Vessels being built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
INS Nistar was built with what level of indigenous content and MSME participation?
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Correct answer: A — Over 80% indigenous content; 120 MSMEs
PIB (MoD): with participation of 120 MSMEs and over 80% indigenous content, INS Nistar shows India's ability to build complex ships.
Consider the following statements about INS Nistar: 1. It is designed to undertake deep-sea saturation diving and rescue operations. 2. It was commissioned at Mumbai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoD): the ship is designed for complex deep-sea saturation diving and rescue operations, so 1 is correct; it was commissioned at Visakhapatnam on 18 July 2025, so 2 is wrong.
INS Nistar was commissioned on 18 July 2025 in the presence of which Raksha Rajya Mantri?
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Correct answer: B — Sanjay Seth
PIB (MoD): INS Nistar was commissioned in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth in Visakhapatnam.
On 18 July 2025, the Prime Minister launched development projects worth how much in Durgapur, West Bengal?
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Correct answer: D — Over Rs 5,400 crore
PIB (PMO): the PM laid foundation stones, inaugurated and dedicated projects worth over Rs 5,400 crore in Durgapur.
The Durgapur-Kolkata section (132 km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, dedicated on 18 July 2025, was laid under which project?
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Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga
PIB (PMO): the section was laid as part of the Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) project.
The BPCL City Gas Distribution project, whose foundation stone the PM laid on 18 July 2025, covers which districts of West Bengal?
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Correct answer: B — Bankura and Purulia
PIB (PMO): the PM laid the foundation stone of BPCL's City Gas Distribution project in Bankura and Purulia districts, worth about Rs 1,950 crore.
The Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (CPI-AL/RL) released in July 2025 uses which base year?
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Correct answer: B — 2019=100
PIB (Labour): the Labour Bureau has revised the base year of CPI-AL and CPI-RL to 2019=100.
Consider the following statements about CPI-AL and CPI-RL for June 2025: 1. Both indices stood at 134 points. 2. The revised series covers 20 states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Labour): CPI-AL and CPI-RL for June 2025 stand at 134 points each, so 1 is correct; the revised series covers 34 states/UTs as against 20 states in the old series, so 2 is wrong.
Where was the first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) inaugurated on 18 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — NFDC Complex, Mumbai
PIB (I&B): the first campus of IICT, including the administrative complex and classrooms, was inaugurated at the NFDC Complex in Mumbai.
According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Institute of Creative Technology will impart advanced training to professionals of which sector?
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Correct answer: B — AVGC-XR
PIB (I&B): IICT will offer completely industry-aligned advanced programmes to impart advanced training to AVGC-XR professionals and trainers.
The National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes 2.0 (NSCSTI 2.0), launched on 18 July 2025, were developed by which body?
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Correct answer: C — Capacity Building Commission
PIB (DoPT): NSCSTI 2.0 was developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), and launched by Dr Jitendra Singh at the Civil Services Officers Institute.
While launching NSCSTI 2.0, Dr Jitendra Singh compared its approach of encouraging training institutes to improve with which programme?
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Correct answer: B — Aspirational Districts Programme
PIB (DoPT): 'Just as the Aspirational Districts Programme enabled backward districts to outshine expectations, NSCSTI 2.0 encourages CSTIs to introspect, innovate and pursue excellence,' the minister said.
Under its partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (July 2025), Coal India will support how many Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Chhattisgarh?
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Correct answer: A — 68
PIB (Tribal Affairs): CIL will support 68 EMRS in Chhattisgarh under CSR, benefiting more than 28,000 tribal students.
According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (18 July 2025), how many Eklavya Model Residential Schools were functional across the country?
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Correct answer: C — 479
PIB (Tribal Affairs): as on date, there are 479 functional EMRS across the country.
Where was the 88th session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88) held in July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Rome
PIB (Health): CCEXEC88 was held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 14 to 18 July 2025.
India chairs the Codex work on a group standard for which product, with Mali, Nigeria and Senegal as co-chairs?
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Correct answer: A — Whole millet grains
PIB (Health): the work on a group standard for whole millet grains is chaired by India with Mali, Nigeria and Senegal as co-chairs.
Consider the following statements about CCEXEC88 (July 2025): 1. India will co-chair new work proposals on standards for fresh turmeric and fresh broccoli. 2. The new standards for fresh dates were given final adoption at CCEXEC88 itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Health): India will co-chair new work on fresh turmeric and fresh broccoli, so 1 is correct; the fresh dates standards were endorsed for further approval at CAC48 in November 2025, so 2 is wrong.
Which new lichen species from the Western Ghats was reported by MACS-Agharkar Research Institute in July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Allographa effusosoredica
PIB (S&T): scientists uncovered a previously unknown lichen species, Allographa effusosoredica, from the Western Ghats.
The algal partner (photobiont) identified in the new lichen Allographa effusosoredica belongs to which genus?
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Correct answer: D — Trentepohlia
PIB (S&T): the integrative study unveiled its algal partner, a Trentepohlia species.
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was scheduled to be held in Goa on which dates?
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Correct answer: D — 20-28 November 2025
PIB (I&B): the 56th edition of IFFI is scheduled to be held from 20 to 28 November 2025 in Goa.
On 18 July 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met a parliamentary delegation led by former Prime Minister Kim Boo Kyum from which country?
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Correct answer: D — Republic of Korea
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): the Speaker met a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Korea led by former Prime Minister Kim Boo Kyum at Parliament House.
At the National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure (18 July 2025), MoHUA presented the mandatory appointment of which officials in cities?
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Correct answer: C — Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
PIB (MoHUA): the ministry presented city-level cybersecurity frameworks, the mandatory appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and the completion of cybersecurity audits.
In the DRI seizure at Bengaluru airport on 18 July 2025, where was the 4 kg of cocaine concealed?
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Correct answer: D — In the covers of two superhero comics
PIB (Finance): the passenger was carrying two unusually heavy superhero comics; white powder recovered from the covers tested positive for cocaine (4,006 grams, about Rs 40 crore).
Nilambur, where a PMJVK Skill Development Centre and Girls' Hostel were inaugurated on 18 July 2025, is in which district of Kerala?
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Correct answer: D — Malappuram
PIB (Minority Affairs): George Kurian inaugurated the Rs 7.92 crore Skill Development Centre and Rs 9.97 crore Girls' Hostel under PMJVK at Nilambur, Malappuram, Kerala.
Which three cities entered the new 'Super Swachh League' at the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards on 17 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Indore, Surat and Navi Mumbai
PIB (MoHUA): Indore, Surat and Navi Mumbai entered the premier Super Swachh League; Ahmedabad, Bhopal and Lucknow emerged as the new clean cities.
Which city won the award for 'Best Ganga Town' in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — Prayagraj
PIB (MoHUA): Union Minister Manohar Lal presented the award for Best Ganga Town to Prayagraj.
Consider the following statements about initiatives announced at the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards: 1. Under the Swachh City Partnership, each of the 78 top-performing cities will mentor one poor-performing city from its State. 2. The Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation programme is a one-year programme starting from 15 August 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoHUA): all 78 top-performing cities will adopt and mentor one poor-performing city each from their States; the 1-year Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation programme starts from 15 August 2025. Both are correct.
The revamped Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 framework, which let smaller cities compete on an equal footing with larger ones, featured:
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Correct answer: D — 10 new parameters and five population categories
PIB (MoHUA): Secretary Srinivas Katikithala said the revamped framework, featuring 10 new parameters and five distinct population categories, enabled smaller cities to compete on an equal footing.
Under the 'One City, One Award' principle in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, how many cities across States and UTs were recognised as Promising Swachh Shehars?
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Correct answer: B — 34
PIB (MoHUA): following the 'One City, One Award' principle, a total of 34 cities across States and UTs were recognised as Promising Swachh Shehars. (23 = Super Swachh League cities felicitated; 43 = national awards; 78 = mentor cities.)
At the Khelo Bharat Conclave on 17 July 2025, the Sports Minister outlined India's strategy to finish among the top 10 nations at which Games?
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Correct answer: D — 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
PIB (MoYAS): Dr Mansukh Mandaviya outlined India's strategy towards finishing among the top 10 nations in the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
The Khelo Bharat Conclave of July 2025 discussed the pillars of which sports policy?
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Correct answer: A — Khelo Bharat Niti 2025
PIB (MoYAS): the conclave covered several key pillars enshrined in the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 (sports policy).
On 17 July 2025, a delegation of Special Envoys of which country's President called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
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Correct answer: B — Republic of Korea
PIB (PMO): a delegation led by Kim Boo Kyum, Special Envoy of Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea, called on the Prime Minister.
Consider the following statements about the meeting of Korean special envoys with PM Modi on 17 July 2025: 1. The PM recalled meeting President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June 2025. 2. The relationship between India and the Republic of Korea is described as a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (PMO): the PM recalled his meeting with President Lee on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June 2025, so 1 is correct; the release calls it the 'Special Strategic Partnership', so 2 is wrong.
Urja Varta 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam on 17 July 2025, was organised by which body?
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Correct answer: B — Directorate General of Hydrocarbons
PIB (MoPNG): Urja Varta 2025 was organised by the DGH under the patronage of the MoPNG.
At Urja Varta 2025, the Petroleum Minister said India had expanded its crude oil import sources from:
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Correct answer: D — 27 to 40 countries
PIB (MoPNG): Shri Puri stated that India had proactively expanded its crude import sources from 27 to 40 countries.
Consider the following statements about Urja Varta 2025: 1. It was the first edition of the upstream oil and gas conclave. 2. The India Hydrocarbon Outlook 2024-25 released there is the 32nd edition of DGH's flagship report. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (MoPNG): the event was the second edition of Urja Varta, so 1 is wrong; the India Hydrocarbon Outlook 2024-25 is the 32nd edition of DGH's flagship report, so 2 is correct.
The first high-resolution, continuous online measurements of key greenhouse gases in the Central Himalayas, reported in July 2025, were made by scientists of which institute?
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Correct answer: D — Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
PIB (DST): the study was performed by ARIES, an autonomous institute under DST, using data collected over five years at a high-altitude site in Nainital.
Consider the following findings of the ARIES study on greenhouse gases in the Central Himalayas: 1. Carbon dioxide reaches its lowest levels during daylight hours due to active photosynthesis. 2. Methane levels are highest in spring. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (DST): carbon dioxide reaches its lowest levels during daylight due to active photosynthesis, so 1 is correct; it is carbon dioxide that rises in spring, while methane is highest in autumn, so 2 is wrong.
In which city did L&T hand over the first set of LCA Mk1A wing assemblies to HAL on 17 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Coimbatore
PIB (MoD): the first set of wing assemblies for LCA Mk1A, produced by L&T, was handed over to HAL in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on July 17, 2025.
As per the L&T official at the handover, how many LCA Mk1A wing sets will L&T supply annually initially, and to what level does it plan to scale up?
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Correct answer: C — 4 sets, scaling up to 12
PIB (MoD): L&T's Arun Ramchandani said L&T is set to supply four wing sets annually, with plans to scale up to 12 sets per annum.
Match the LCA Mk1A structural module with its private-sector supplier as listed by the Ministry of Defence: 1. Centre fuselage assembly 2. Fin & rudder assemblies 3. Air intake assemblies
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Correct answer: B — 1-VEM Technologies, 2-Tata Advanced Systems, 3-Lakshmi Machine Works
PIB (MoD): the LCA Tejas Division has received Air Intake Assemblies from Lakshmi Machine Works, Rear fuselage from Alpha Tocol, Fin & Rudder from Tata Advanced Systems and Centre Fuselage from VEM Technologies.
From which test range were the Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles test-fired on 17 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha
PIB (MoD): Prithvi-II and Agni-I were successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha on July 17, 2025.
The test-firing of the Prithvi-II and Agni-I short-range ballistic missiles on 17 July 2025 was conducted under the aegis of:
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Correct answer: D — Strategic Forces Command
PIB (MoD): the tests were conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.
The Department of Posts signed an MoU on 17 July 2025 with which body for KYC verification of mutual fund investors?
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Correct answer: C — Association of Mutual Funds in India
PIB (Ministry of Communications): the Department of Posts and the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) signed the MoU in Mumbai on July 17, 2025.
Under the DoP–AMFI MoU of 17 July 2025, KYC verification services will be provided through a network of over how many post offices?
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Correct answer: D — 1.64 lakh
PIB (Ministry of Communications): DoP will provide KYC verification and document collection services through its network of over 1.64 lakh post offices.
In which city was the 'Sahkar & Rojgar Utsav' addressed by Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on 17 July 2025 held?
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Correct answer: A — Jaipur
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): Amit Shah addressed the 'Sahkar & Rojgar Utsav' in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where appointment letters were distributed to over 8,000 youth.
As stated by Amit Shah in Jaipur on 17 July 2025, how many of the targeted two lakh new PACS have been created?
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Correct answer: B — 40 thousand
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): Shah said the aim is to create two lakh new PACS, of which 40 thousand have been created.
Consider the following statements: 1. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. 2. As per the Union Minister of Cooperation in July 2025, the Ministry of Cooperation had taken 61 initiatives within four years of its establishment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): Shah said the UNGA declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives and that within four years of its establishment the ministry strengthened cooperatives through 61 initiatives. Both are correct.
The Mount Everest expedition flagged in by the Defence Secretary on 17 July 2025 was conducted to commemorate 60 years of which institute?
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Correct answer: C — Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
PIB (MoD): the expedition to Mount Everest was conducted to commemorate 60 glorious years of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi; HMI and JIM&WS were collaborators.
Which ministry initiated the formulation of the Automotive Mission Plan 2047 (AMP 2047), whose sub-committees held their inaugural meeting in July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Heavy Industries
PIB (MHI): the Ministry of Heavy Industries has initiated the formulation of AMP 2047; the Road Transport, Commerce and Power ministries were among those represented at the meeting.
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, approved by the Cabinet on 16 July 2025, will cover how many districts?
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Correct answer: B — 100
PIB (Cabinet): the Cabinet approved the scheme for a period of six years, beginning with 2025-26, to cover 100 districts.
The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana draws inspiration from which programme?
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Correct answer: D — NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme
PIB (Cabinet): the scheme draws inspiration from NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme and is the first of its kind focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.
Consider the following statements about the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: 1. Districts will be identified on low productivity, low cropping intensity and less credit disbursement. 2. At least one district will be selected from each state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Cabinet): 100 districts will be identified based on low productivity, low cropping intensity and less credit disbursement, and a minimum of 1 district will be selected from each state. Both are correct.
The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana will be implemented through convergence of how many existing schemes, and its progress monitored monthly on how many key performance indicators?
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Correct answer: A — 36 schemes across 11 departments; 117 KPIs
PIB (Cabinet): the scheme will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, and progress in each district will be monitored on 117 KPIs through a dashboard on a monthly basis.
Which foreign university's India campus, inaugurated on 16 July 2025 in Gurugram, became the first to be operationalised under UGC's foreign campus regulations?
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Correct answer: C — University of Southampton
PIB (MoE): the University of Southampton became the first foreign university to operationalise a campus in India under the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations.
The University of Southampton, which opened its India campus in Gurugram in July 2025, is a founding member of which UK university group?
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Correct answer: A — Russell Group
PIB (MoE): the University of Southampton is a QS Top 100 global institution and a founding member of the UK's Russell Group.
Consider the following statements about the University of Southampton's India campus: 1. It was set up under the University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, a reform under NEP 2020. 2. The university received its Letter of Intent on 29 August 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoE): the campus is the first under UGC's new regulations enabling foreign universities to set up branch campuses, a key reform under NEP 2020; the university received its official Letter of Intent on 29 August 2024. Both are correct.
At the 16 July 2025 meeting chaired by the Union Jal Shakti Minister, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana agreed to install telemetry devices for real-time monitoring of water flows in which basin?
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Correct answer: D — Krishna
PIB (Jal Shakti): both states agreed on the installation of telemetry devices for real-time monitoring of water flows in the Krishna Basin.
Immediate maintenance measures were agreed at the 16 July 2025 AP–Telangana meeting to safeguard which dam?
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Correct answer: B — Srisailam
PIB (Jal Shakti): it was agreed that immediate measures would be taken to address the maintenance issues to safeguard Srisailam dam.
Consider the following statements about the outcomes of the AP–Telangana meeting on 16 July 2025: 1. The office of the Krishna River Management Board will be shifted to Vijayawada/Amaravati. 2. The remaining issues were referred to a tribunal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Jal Shakti): both states agreed the KRMB office would be shifted to Vijayawada/Amaravati, so 1 is correct; remaining issues go to a committee of senior officials and technical experts from both states and the Centre, not a tribunal, so 2 is wrong.