Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Noklak, which Raksha Khadse visited on 22 March 2025 as the first Union Minister to go there, is known as the 'Frontier District' of which state?
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Correct answer: C — Nagaland
Noklak lies in Nagaland's easternmost region and is known as the 'Frontier District'.
In how many regional languages, besides Hindi and English, are central recruitment exams now held, as stated by Dr Jitendra Singh on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 13
Dr Jitendra Singh said recruitment exams, limited to Hindi and English before 2014, are now conducted in 13 regional languages.
According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2025, released on 21 March 2025, what was the size of India's bioeconomy in 2024?
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Correct answer: B — $165.7 billion
IBER 2025 put India's bioeconomy at $165.7 billion in 2024, up from $10 billion in 2014.
What share of India's GDP did the bioeconomy contribute, as per the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 4.25%
IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India's GDP.
What is 'BioSaarthi', launched by Dr Jitendra Singh on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — A global mentorship initiative for biotech startups
BioSaarthi is a six-month cohort-based global mentorship initiative for biotech startups, engaging overseas experts, especially from the Indian diaspora.
How many biotech startups does India have, as cited at the release of the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Over 10,075
The Minister said biotech startups have grown from about 50 a decade ago to over 10,075.
Consider the following statements about the India Bioeconomy Report 2025: 1. India's bioeconomy surpassed the target of $150 billion set for 2025. 2. The bioeconomy grew at a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy reached $165.7 billion in 2024, surpassing the $150 billion target for 2025, with a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years.
Justice Harish Tandon was appointed Chief Justice of which High Court on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Orissa High Court
Justice Harish Tandon, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, was appointed Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court.
Before his appointment as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court in March 2025, Justice Harish Tandon was a judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: B — Calcutta High Court
The Law Ministry's communiqué described him as a judge of the Calcutta High Court.
Consider the following statements in the context of the appointment of Justice Harish Tandon as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court: 1. Judges of High Courts, including Chief Justices, are appointed by the President under Article 217(1). 2. The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the Governor of the State concerned. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The appointment was made by the President under Article 217(1), which covers every High Court judge including the Chief Justice. The Governor is consulted but does not appoint.
Where was Purple Fest 2025, celebrating persons with disabilities, held on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Purple Fest 2025 was held at the Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on 21 March 2025.
Which department organised Purple Fest 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Purple Fest 2025 was hosted by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
From which vessel did the Indian Navy evacuate injured crew about 230 nautical miles west of Goa on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — MV Heilan Star
The Navy evacuated three injured crew from MV Heilan Star, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier.
To which naval air station were the injured crew of MV Heilan Star flown on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — INS Hansa, Goa
The rescued crew were flown to INS Hansa, Goa, and then moved to a civil hospital.
With which department did Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff sign an MoU on defence R&D on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Science and Technology
HQ IDS signed the MoU with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to strengthen defence research and development.
Who was the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff present at the signing of the HQ IDS–DST MoU on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Lt Gen JP Mathew
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen JP Mathew. V Adm Sanjay Vatsayan, Deputy Chief, signed it for HQ IDS.
What cash amount does the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2024, announced in March 2025, carry?
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Correct answer: A — ₹50,000
The Translation Prize carries ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.
Who chaired the Sahitya Akademi Executive Board meeting that approved the Translation Prize 2024 in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Madhav Kaushik
The Executive Board met under the chairmanship of Sahitya Akademi President Madhav Kaushik.
What was the theme of the International Day of Forests 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Forests and Foods
The 2025 theme was 'Forests and Foods', highlighting forests' role in food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
On which date was the first-ever World Day for Glaciers observed in 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 21 March
The first World Day for Glaciers was observed on 21 March 2025, the eve of World Water Day.
Consider the following statements about the International Day of Forests: 1. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012. 2. Its annual theme is chosen by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 21 March as the International Day of Forests in 2012. The annual theme is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, not UNEP.
At which institute did the two-week training programme for Bhutanese election officials conclude on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — IIIDEM, New Delhi
The programme concluded at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi.
How many Bhutanese election officials took part in the ECI's capacity development programme held from 10 to 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 40
The programme trained 40 senior and mid-level officers from Bhutan.
Who was Bhutan's Election Commissioner who took part in the March 2025 training programme in New Delhi?
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Correct answer: A — Ugyen Chewang
Bhutan's Election Commissioner Ugyen Chewang participated and gave the vote of thanks at the valedictory session.
About how many standards had the Bureau of Indian Standards developed, as stated in March 2025 ahead of its Annual Programme for Standardisation 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — Over 23,000
BIS said it has developed more than 23,000 standards.
With which institute did C-DOT partner, as announced on 21 March 2025, to develop a generative AI chatbot for disaster early warning?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi
C-DOT signed the agreement with IIT Delhi for the generative AI-enhanced chatbot.
Which annual convocation of AIIMS New Delhi did President Droupadi Murmu address on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 49th
The President addressed the 49th annual convocation of AIIMS New Delhi.
On which date did India's coal production cross one billion tonnes in the financial year 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — 20 March 2025
The Ministry of Coal said production crossed 1 BT on 20 March 2025.
What was India's total coal production in FY 2023-24, which was surpassed in March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 997.83 MT
The 1 BT milestone came 11 days ahead of the previous fiscal's production of 997.83 million tonnes.
According to the Ministry of Coal in March 2025, about what share of India's electricity is generated by coal-based plants?
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Correct answer: D — About 74%
Around 74% of India's electricity is generated by coal-based power plants; coal is about 55% of the energy mix.
Consider the following statements made by the Ministry of Coal when coal output crossed 1 billion tonnes in March 2025: 1. Coal accounts for about 55% of India's energy mix. 2. India's coal imports rose during April–December 2024 compared with the previous year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The ministry said coal is about 55% of the energy mix, and that coal imports declined by 8.4% in April–December 2024, saving about $5.43 billion.
What was the total value of the capital acquisition proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Over ₹54,000 crore
The DAC accorded AoN to eight proposals amounting to over ₹54,000 crore.
The DAC on 20 March 2025 approved upgrading the engines of T-90 tanks from 1000 HP to:
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Correct answer: B — 1350 HP
AoN was accorded for 1350 HP engines to upgrade the present 1000 HP engines of T-90 tanks.
Which aircraft systems did the DAC clear for the Indian Air Force on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems
For the IAF, the DAC accorded AoN for Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft systems.
Consider the following statements about the DAC decisions of 20 March 2025: 1. Varunastra, cleared for the Navy, is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory. 2. The engine upgrade cleared for the Army was for Arjun main battle tanks. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Varunastra is an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo from NSTL. The 1350 HP engine upgrade was for T-90 tanks, not Arjun.
Where was the 14th meeting of the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism held in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — New Delhi
The 14th meeting was held in New Delhi on 19–20 March 2025, the first of the India–Malaysia co-chaired cycle.
Which two countries co-chaired the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2021–2024 cycle, before handing over to India and Malaysia?
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Correct answer: C — Myanmar and Russia
Myanmar and Russia, co-chairs for 2021–2024, handed over the co-chairmanship to India and Malaysia for 2024–2027.
Which company won MeitY's Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, announced on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Zoho
Zoho won the challenge; Team PING and Team Ajna were the runners-up.
Which organisation conducted the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge for MeitY?
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Correct answer: A — C-DAC Bengaluru
The challenge was conducted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Bengaluru.
Which team was the first runner-up in the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge announced in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Team PING
Team PING was the first runner-up and Team Ajna the second; Jio Vishwakarma received a special mention.
At which venue were the second Khelo India Para Games declared open on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, New Delhi
The Games were declared open at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium complex, New Delhi.
In how many sports disciplines did athletes compete at the second Khelo India Para Games, opened on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Six
More than 1,300 para athletes competed in six sports disciplines over eight days.
How many net members did EPFO add in January 2025, as per payroll data released on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 17.89 lakh
EPFO added 17.89 lakh net members in January 2025; 8.23 lakh were new subscribers.
What share of EPFO's new subscribers in January 2025 were aged 18–25?
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Correct answer: A — About 57%
4.70 lakh new subscribers, or 57.07% of the total, were in the 18–25 age group.
How many user fee collection agencies did NHAI debar in March 2025 for irregular toll collection?
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Correct answer: C — 14
NHAI debarred 14 agencies and forfeited performance securities worth over ₹100 crore.
Which CSIR laboratory signed an MoU with HAPICO Industries on 20 March 2025 to develop biopesticides?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-IIIM, Jammu
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, signed the MoU with HAPICO Industries.
Which ministry organised the 'Udyam Utsav' at Rashtrapati Bhavan from 20 to 30 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of MSME
The Ministry of MSME organised the Udyam Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Bavaliyali Dham, whose programme PM Modi addressed on 20 March 2025, is associated with which community of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: A — Bharwad
The PM addressed the programme of Bavaliyali Dham related to the Bharwad Samaj of Gujarat.
World Sparrow Day, marked at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, in 2025, is observed on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 20 March
World Sparrow Day is observed on 20 March; the zoo marked it on 20 March 2025.
From which date did the PFRDA regulations operationalising the Unified Pension Scheme, notified in March 2025, come into effect?
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Correct answer: C — 1 April 2025
The PFRDA regulations, notified by gazette dated 19 March 2025, came into effect on 1 April 2025.
Under the Unified Pension Scheme, the full assured payout is what share of the average basic pay of the last 12 months before superannuation?
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Correct answer: B — 50%
The full assured payout is 50% of the 12-month average basic pay immediately before superannuation, payable after at least 25 years of qualifying service.
What is the minimum guaranteed monthly payout under the Unified Pension Scheme for a subscriber who superannuates after at least 10 years of qualifying service?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
A minimum guaranteed payout of ₹10,000 a month applies when superannuation is after 10 or more years of qualifying service.
Consider the following statements about the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): 1. Besides 10% to the employee's individual corpus, the government contributes an additional 8.5% to a pool corpus. 2. The family payout under UPS is 60% of the subscriber's payout. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PFRDA's comparison gives UPS contributions as 10% (employee) + 10% (Government) + 8.5% (pool corpus), and family benefits as 60% of the subscriber's payout. Both statements are correct.
The Dugda Coal Washery, which became the first coal washery in India to be monetised (March 2025), is located in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Bokaro
BCCL monetised the 2 MTPA Dugda Coal Washery located in Bokaro, Jharkhand.
Which Coal India subsidiary monetised the Dugda Coal Washery in March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Coking Coal Limited
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), a CIL subsidiary, monetised the 2 MTPA Dugda Coal Washery.
Under SEBI's DigiLocker circular of 19 March 2025, what are the persons called whom a DigiLocker user can appoint to get read-only access to the account after the user's death?
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Correct answer: B — Data Access Nominees
Users can appoint Data Access Nominees, who get read-only access to the DigiLocker account after the user's demise.
Under SEBI's March 2025 framework for DigiLocker, which entities serve as the primary source for verifying a user's death and triggering notifications to the nominees?
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Correct answer: D — KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs)
SEBI-regulated KYC Registration Agencies will be the primary source for verifying and triggering notifications to Data Access Nominees.
On which mode will the six-lane JNPA Port (Pagote)–Chowk greenfield highway, approved by the CCEA on 19 March 2025, be developed?
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Correct answer: D — Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) (Toll)
The project will be developed on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) (Toll) mode at a total capital cost of ₹4,500.62 crore.
The JNPA Port (Pagote)–Chowk greenfield highway approved in March 2025 ends on which national highway?
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Correct answer: A — NH-48 (Mumbai–Pune Highway)
The alignment starts at JNPA port on NH 348 at Pagote and ends on the Mumbai–Pune Highway (NH-48), also linking the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and NH-66.
Up to what transaction value are UPI person-to-merchant payments of small merchants covered under the incentive scheme approved by the Cabinet on 19 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,000
Only UPI P2M transactions of up to ₹2,000 for small merchants are covered under the scheme.
At what rate is the incentive paid on eligible low-value BHIM-UPI person-to-merchant transactions under the 2024-25 scheme?
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Correct answer: B — 0.15% of transaction value
The incentive is 0.15% of transaction value for small-merchant transactions up to ₹2,000. 0.30% is the MDR cap NPCI sets for UPI P2M, and 0.90% is RBI's debit card MDR cap.
Consider the following statements about the BHIM-UPI P2M incentive scheme approved in March 2025: 1. 80% of a bank's admitted claim for each quarter is paid without any condition. 2. 10% of the claim is paid only if the acquiring bank's system uptime is above 99.5%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
80% of the admitted claim is disbursed unconditionally; of the remaining 20%, 10% depends on technical decline below 0.75% and 10% on system uptime above 99.5%. Both statements are correct.
What is the total outlay of the revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission approved by the Cabinet on 19 March 2025 for 2021-22 to 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,400 crore
With an additional ₹1,000 crore, the revised RGM has a total outlay of ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
Under the revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (March 2025), what support is given to farmers who take loans to buy high genetic merit IVF heifers?
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Correct answer: B — 3% interest subvention
A 3% interest subvention is provided on loans taken by farmers from milk unions, financial institutions or banks to buy HGM IVF heifers. The 35% assistance is for Heifer Rearing Centres.