Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Where is the institute that developed the silk-fibre-based optical sensing platform for cholesterol detection, reported on 23 April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Guwahati
The platform was developed at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati.
Consider the following about IASST's cholesterol sensing platform: 1. It is based on silk fibre functionalised with phosphorene quantum dots. 2. The work was published in the journal Nanoscale of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the DST release.
According to the Foreign Secretary's briefing of 23 April 2025, how many people were killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen
The MEA briefing said 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed.
Consider the following about the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025: 1. The Prime Minister strongly condemned it and said those behind it would be brought to justice. 2. The India–Saudi Arabia Joint Statement strongly condemned the attack. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the PMO release and the India–Saudi Arabia Joint Statement.
How many candidates did UPSC recommend for appointment in the final result of the Civil Services Examination 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 1,009
A total of 1,009 candidates were recommended; 230 are on the reserve list.
How many IAS vacancies were reported by the Government for the Civil Services Examination 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 180
The Government reported 180 IAS vacancies; 55 were for the IFS and 147 for the IPS.
LSAM 24, inducted on 22 April 2025, is the 10th of how many Ammunition cum Torpedo cum Missile barges contracted for the Navy?
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Correct answer: D — 11
The contract covers eleven ACTCM barges; LSAM 24 is the 10th.
Which shipyard built the ACTCM barge LSAM 24 inducted at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 22 April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane
The barges are built by Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, an MSME shipyard.
Harit Yoga, under which a plantation drive was held on World Earth Day 2025, is one of how many signature events of International Day of Yoga 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ten
Harit Yoga is one of the ten signature events of IDY 2025; 12 IYA state chapters took part in the drive.
Consider the following about the World Earth Day 2025 plantation drive: 1. It was conducted by the Indian Yoga Association and its state chapters. 2. Harit Yoga is an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Harit Yoga is an initiative of the Ministry of Ayush.
Which startup won the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025, announced on 22 April 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Plastics for Change
Buoyancy Plastics for Change Recycling Pvt Ltd won the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025.
Up to how much funding does the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025 carry for the winner?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10 crore
The Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025 carries funding of up to ₹10 crore.
Consider the following about India's nominee for Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau: 1. M. Revathi is Joint Wireless Advisor at the Department of Telecommunications. 2. If elected, she would be the first woman to lead the Bureau. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the Ministry of Communications release.
Where is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) based?
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Correct answer: B — Geneva
The ITU is a UN specialised agency based in Geneva.
For how long will Virginia tobacco grower registrations and barn licences now be valid, as notified in April 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 3 years
The registrations and licences will be valid for 3 years instead of 1 year.
Consider the following about the amendment to the Tobacco Board Rules, 1976, notified in April 2025: 1. It takes effect from the 2025-26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh. 2. It will benefit around 91,000 farmers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. It will benefit around 83,500 farmers covering about 91,000 barns.
What is the endurance of the aerostatic drone demonstrated with NECTAR's support, as reported on 22 April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Over 4 hours
The aerostatic drone can stay afloat for surveillance with an endurance of over four hours.
Which company developed the aerostatic drone demonstrated by NECTAR?
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Correct answer: D — Airbotix Technologies
The aerostatic drone was developed by Airbotix Technologies, Gurgaon, with NECTAR's support.
Where is the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), where a PV Module Testing and Calibration Lab was inaugurated on 22 April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Gwal Pahari, Haryana
NISE is at Gwal Pahari, Bandhwari, Haryana.
According to Pralhad Joshi on 22 April 2025, how much solar capacity is included in India's 500 GW non-fossil target for 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 292 GW
The 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030 includes 292 GW of solar.
What was the total number of NPS subscribers by March 2025, as per the Finance Ministry release of 22 April 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Over 165 lakh
Total NPS subscribers crossed 165 lakh by March 2025; over 12 lakh new private-sector subscribers joined in 2024-25.
What were the combined assets under management of NPS and Atal Pension Yojana at end-March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹14.43 lakh crore
The AUM of NPS and APY grew 23% during 2024-25 to ₹14.43 lakh crore.
Which edition of Civil Services Day was observed on 21 April 2025, and where did the Prime Minister address civil servants?
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Correct answer: B — 17th, Vigyan Bhawan
17th, Vigyan Bhawan: the PM addressed the 17th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Consider the following about Civil Services Day 2025: 1. The observance marked the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 2. Civil Services Day is linked to Sardar Patel's address of 21 April 1947 in which he called civil servants the 'Steel Frame of India'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated in the PMO release on the PM's address.
When PM Modi hosted US Vice President J.D. Vance on 21 April 2025, the two welcomed significant progress in negotiations for which of the following?
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Correct answer: D — India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement
India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement: the PMO release says they welcomed significant progress in its negotiations.
Consider the following about the PM's meeting with US Vice President J.D. Vance on 21 April 2025: 1. The two had earlier met in Paris in February 2025. 2. The PM said he looked forward to President Trump's visit to India later in the year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the PMO release.
Who took charge as Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General, ICAR on 21 April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Mangi Lal Jat
Mangi Lal Jat assumed charge as Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR for three years.
Immediately before taking charge as DG, ICAR in April 2025, Dr. Mangi Lal Jat was serving as Deputy Director General (Research) at which institution?
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Correct answer: C — ICRISAT
ICRISAT: he was DDG (Research) and Director of the Global Research Program at ICRISAT, Hyderabad; CIMMYT and IRRI were earlier positions.
At what rate did the Centre impose a safeguard duty on imports of certain non-alloy and alloy steel flat products in April 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 12%
12%: the Ministry of Steel said a 12% safeguard duty was imposed.
Consider the following about the steel import duty announced in April 2025: 1. It applies to certain non-alloy and alloy steel flat products. 2. It is an anti-dumping duty. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. It is a safeguard duty, not an anti-dumping duty.
What is the final settlement amount in the Android TV case in which the CCI accepted Google's settlement proposal in April 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹20.24 crore
₹20.24 crore, after applying a 15% settlement discount.
Under which provision of the Competition Act, 2002 did the CCI agree to Google's settlement proposal in the Android TV case?
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Correct answer: D — Section 48A
Section 48A: the CCI acted under Section 48A(3) read with the Settlement Regulations, 2024; Section 19(1)(a) covers the filing of information, Section 26(1) the DG investigation, and Section 4 abuse of dominance.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries grow (provisional) in March 2025 over March 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 3.8%
3.8%: the ICI grew 3.8% in March 2025; 4.4% was the cumulative growth for 2024-25.
Consider the following about the Index of Eight Core Industries for March 2025: 1. The eight core industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items in the Index of Industrial Production. 2. Natural gas recorded the highest growth among the eight industries in March 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Cement recorded the highest growth (11.6%); natural gas declined by 12.7%.
Which of the following carries the highest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: C — Petroleum refinery products
Petroleum refinery products carry a weight of 28.04%, ahead of electricity (19.85%), steel (17.92%) and coal (10.33%).
India's largest cruise terminal, the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, which began operations on 21 April 2025, is located at which place?
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Correct answer: D — Ballard Pier
Ballard Pier: the MICT has been developed at Ballard Pier in Mumbai.
Consider the following about the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal: 1. It is designed to handle 1 million passengers a year. 2. It can berth up to 10 ships simultaneously. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The terminal can handle 5 ships simultaneously.
Under which category did the Poshan Tracker application receive the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Innovation (centre)
Innovation (centre): the MWCD release says the award was under the Innovation category (centre).
The Poshan Tracker application, which won a PM's Award on Civil Services Day 2025, belongs to which ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of Women and Child Development
Ministry of Women and Child Development: Poshan Tracker is its application.
Consider the following about Amit Shah's review of the new criminal laws in Chhattisgarh on 21 April 2025: 1. He asked the state to fix accountability of DSP-level officers for filing chargesheets within 60 and 90 days. 2. The review meeting was held in Raipur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The meeting was held in New Delhi.
At his review of the new criminal laws in Chhattisgarh in April 2025, Amit Shah said every police station and DSP-level officer should regularly use which system in serious crime investigations?
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Correct answer: D — NATGRID
NATGRID: Shah said police stations and DSP-level officers should regularly use NATGRID in serious crime investigations.
Consider the following about KVIC's provisional data for 2024-25: 1. Sales of Khadi and Village Industries products exceeded ₹1.70 lakh crore. 2. Production rose about four times compared with 2013-14. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: sales were ₹1,70,551.37 crore and production rose about fourfold (347%) to ₹1,16,599.75 crore.
The Centre of Excellence jointly set up by NSDC and Pandit Deendayal Energy University, launched on 21 April 2025, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar: the NSDC–PDEU Centre was launched at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
In the context of India's maritime policy cited for the MNDF Huravee refit, what does MAHASAGAR stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for all in the Region
Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for all in the Region, as stated in the Ministry of Defence release.
Where did the Indian Navy carry out the maiden Normal Refit of the Maldivian Coast Guard Ship MNDF Huravee, completed in April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Naval Dockyard, Mumbai
Naval Dockyard, Mumbai: the ship arrived there on 13 November 2024 and sailed on 21 April 2025.
The International Conclave on Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of North-East India, organised by the IBC in April 2025, was held at Namsai in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh: Namsai is a district in Arunachal Pradesh, where the conclave was held.
The Songpa Water Festival, mentioned at the IBC conclave in Namsai in April 2025, is a Buddhist festival celebrated by which community?
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Correct answer: B — Khamti
Khamti: the Deputy CM described Songpa as a Buddhist festival celebrated by the Khamti community in Namsai, Changlang and Itanagar.
How many net members did EPFO add in February 2025, as per provisional payroll data?
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Correct answer: D — 16.10 lakh
16.10 lakh net members were added; 7.39 lakh were new subscribers.
Consider the following about EPFO payroll data for February 2025: 1. The 18–25 age group made up more than half of the new subscribers. 2. About 13.18 lakh members who had exited earlier rejoined EPFO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 18–25 group was 57.71% of new subscribers, and about 13.18 lakh members rejoined.
The flash floods and landslides of 20 April 2025 in Ramban district blocked which highway between Nashri and Banihal?
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Correct answer: D — Jammu–Srinagar National Highway
Jammu–Srinagar National Highway: traffic was suspended because of landslides between Nashri and Banihal.
Consider the following about the Ramban disaster of 20 April 2025: 1. A cloudburst struck Seri Bagna village in Ramban district. 2. More than 100 people were rescued. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as reported by The Hindu and The New Indian Express citing officials.
According to officials cited by The Hindu and The New Indian Express, how many people died in Seri Bagna village in the Ramban flash floods of 20 April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 3
Officials said three people, including two children, died in Seri Bagna village of Ramban district.
At the ISSF World Cup in Lima in April 2025, Arjun Babuta won the men's 10m air rifle silver after losing by 0.1 point to which shooter?
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Correct answer: B — Sheng Lihao
Arjun Babuta scored 252.3 in the final and lost by 0.1 point to reigning Olympic champion Sheng Lihao of China, who scored 252.4.
In which city was the ISSF World Cup stage held where Arjun Babuta won the men's 10m air rifle silver in April 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Lima
Babuta won the silver at the ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) in Lima, Peru.
The Indian pair of Rudrankksh Patil and Arya Borse lost the 10m air rifle mixed team gold medal match at the ISSF World Cup in Lima in April 2025 to a pair from which country?
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Correct answer: B — Norway
Rudrankksh Patil and Arya Borse lost 11–17 to Norway's Jon-Hermann Hegg and Jeanette Hegg Duestad in the gold medal match.
Consider the following about the ISSF World Cup in Lima, April 2025: 1. Rudrankksh Patil and Arya Borse won silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team event. 2. After that medal on 20 April, India was at the top of the medal table. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: with two gold, three silver and one bronze, India was third, behind China and the USA.
Under Maharashtra's Pink E-Rickshaw scheme, launched in Nagpur in April 2025, what share of each e-rickshaw's cost does the state government give as subsidy?
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Correct answer: D — 20%
The state government gives a 20% subsidy on each e-rickshaw; the beneficiary pays 10% and the remaining 70% is a bank loan.
Which department of the Maharashtra government runs the Pink E-Rickshaw scheme for women, launched in April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Women and Child Development Department
The Pink E-Rickshaw scheme is an initiative of the state Women and Child Development Department, led by Minister Aditi Tatkare.
Consider the following about Maharashtra's Pink E-Rickshaw scheme: 1. It is being implemented in eight districts of the state. 2. Apart from the subsidy and the beneficiary's share, the remaining 70% of the cost is covered by bank loans. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct: the scheme covers eight districts, and after the 20% state subsidy and the 10% beneficiary share, 70% is financed through bank loans.
What annual grant will each of the 30 Khelo India Centres opened in Odisha in April 2025 receive?
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Correct answer: C — ₹5 lakh
Each of Odisha's 30 Khelo India Centres will receive an annual grant of ₹5 lakh.
From which venue were Odisha's 30 Khelo India Centres inaugurated on 20 April 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj inaugurated the centres virtually at a function at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.