Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was India's CPI-based retail inflation for February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 3.61%
MoSPI put February 2025 retail inflation at 3.61% (provisional), the lowest since July 2024.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at the all-India level in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Coconut oil
Coconut oil had the highest inflation at 54.48%, followed by coconut (41.61%), gold (35.56%), silver (30.89%) and onion (30.42%).
Consider the following statements about CPI data for February 2025: 1. Food inflation fell to its lowest level since May 2023. 2. Urban headline inflation was higher than rural headline inflation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: food inflation was 3.75%, the lowest since May 2023. Statement 2 is wrong: urban inflation (3.32%) was lower than rural (3.79%).
'Ashwini', for which a ₹2,906 crore contract was signed in March 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: D — Low-level transportable radar
Ashwini is a Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) to be supplied by BEL to the Indian Air Force.
With which company did the Defence Ministry sign the ₹2,906 crore Ashwini radar contract?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Limited
The contract was signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, on 12 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Ashwini LLTR: 1. It is an active electronically scanned phased-array radar developed by DRDO's Electronics & Radar Development Establishment. 2. It is designed to track only high-speed fighter aircraft, not drones or helicopters. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the radar can track targets from high-speed fighters to slow-moving UAVs and helicopters.
Where was the keel of the second Fleet Support Ship for the Indian Navy laid on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli
The keel was laid at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, to which Hindustan Shipyard Limited has sub-contracted two of the five ships.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Navy's Fleet Support Ships (FSS): 1. Hindustan Shipyard Limited has sub-contracted the construction of two of the five ships to L&T Shipyard. 2. In their secondary role, the ships are equipped for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Defence Ministry.
Which Bill did the Lok Sabha pass on 12 March 2025, completing its passage through Parliament?
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Correct answer: A — Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
The Lok Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 on 12 March 2025; the Rajya Sabha had passed it on 3 December 2024.
What single permit does the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 introduce in place of multiple licences?
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Correct answer: B — Petroleum lease
The Bill introduces a single 'petroleum lease', replacing the need for multiple licences for different activities and hydrocarbons.
Consider the following statements about the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024: 1. It was first passed by the Lok Sabha and later by the Rajya Sabha. 2. It raises the penalty for violations to ₹25 lakh, with up to ₹10 lakh per day for continuing violations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Rajya Sabha passed it first, on 3 December 2024, and the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2025. Statement 2 is correct.
Which state signed the first Centre–State partnership MoU with the Department of Biotechnology under the BioE3 Policy in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Assam
DBT and the Government of Assam signed the first Centre–State partnership MoU under BioE3 on 12 March 2025.
Under the DBT–Assam BioE3 MoU, what will the Government of Assam establish?
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Correct answer: D — A State BioE3 Cell
Assam will set up a State BioE3 Cell and develop an Assam BioE3 Action Plan, while DBT provides guidance.
Consider the following statements about the BioE3 Policy: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 August 2024. 2. Its 'BioEnablers' include biofoundries, biomanufacturing hubs and Bio-AI hubs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Science and Technology Ministry.
Which missile was test-fired from a Tejas LCA AF MK1 prototype off Chandipur on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Astra
ADA test-fired the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile from the LCA AF MK1 prototype.
Which agency conducted the Astra test-launch from the LCA AF MK1 prototype in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Aeronautical Development Agency
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) conducted the test, with DRDO, HAL, CEMILAC, DG-AQA and the IAF supporting.
Consider the following statements about the Astra test of 12 March 2025: 1. Astra is already inducted into the Indian Air Force and can engage targets beyond 100 km. 2. The test was described as a milestone towards induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Defence Ministry.
What was India's IIP growth rate for January 2025 as per the Quick Estimates?
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Correct answer: C — 5.0%
IIP grew 5.0% in January 2025; 3.2% was December 2024, 4.4% mining and 5.5% manufacturing.
Which use-based category contracted in the IIP for January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Consumer non-durables
Consumer non-durables fell 0.2% in January 2025, while capital goods grew 7.8% and consumer durables 7.2%.
IGNCA's tenth Regional Centre, inaugurated in Tirupati in March 2025, will specialise in the study of:
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Correct answer: C — Vaishnava Agama and Indian architectural tradition
The Tirupati centre, set up with the National Sanskrit University, focuses on Vaishnava Agama and Indian architectural traditions.
Which town was named the world's most polluted metropolitan area in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Byrnihat
Byrnihat, on the Assam–Meghalaya border, topped the list with an annual average PM2.5 of 128.2 µg/m³.
What was India's rank among the most polluted countries in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Fifth
India ranked fifth at 50.6 µg/m³, improving from third in 2023.
Which country was ranked the most polluted in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Chad
Chad topped the list at 91.8 µg/m³, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the DR Congo and India.
Consider the following statements about IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024: 1. India's annual average PM2.5 concentration was more than ten times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. 2. New Delhi was the most polluted capital city. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: India averaged 50.6 µg/m³ against the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, and New Delhi remained the world's most polluted capital.
With which institution did the Department of Posts sign an MoU on 11 March 2025 for the technology architecture of a Digital Address DPI?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
The MoU was signed with the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) of IISc, Bengaluru.
The Department of Posts' Digital Address initiative aims to establish which concept in India?
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Correct answer: D — Address as a Service (AaaS)
Under the 'Digital Address Code' initiative, the department aims to establish 'Address as a Service' (AaaS) through a standardised, geo-coded addressing system.
In which city did US and Ukrainian officials hold talks on 11 March 2025 that led to Ukraine accepting a 30-day ceasefire proposal?
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Correct answer: A — Jeddah
The talks were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
What was the length of the interim ceasefire that Ukraine expressed readiness to accept at the Jeddah talks of March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 30 days
The joint statement refers to an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, extendable by mutual agreement.
Consider the following statements about the US–Ukraine joint statement issued in Jeddah on 11 March 2025: 1. The ceasefire was to take effect immediately regardless of Russia's response. 2. The US agreed to lift its pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the ceasefire was subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by Russia. Statement 2 is correct.
Which train was hijacked by Baloch militants in Pakistan on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Jaffar Express
The Quetta–Peshawar Jaffar Express was hijacked in the Bolan Pass area of Balochistan.
Which group claimed responsibility for the Jaffar Express hijacking of March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Balochistan Liberation Army
The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana crossed which milestone of rooftop solar installations in March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 10 lakh
The MNRE said 10.09 lakh installations had been completed as of 10 March 2025.
Which two Union Territories were reported in March 2025 to have achieved 100% of their government-building rooftop solar targets under PM Surya Ghar?
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Correct answer: A — Chandigarh and Daman & Diu
The MNRE said Chandigarh and Daman & Diu had achieved 100% of their government-building rooftop solar targets.
PM-YUVA 3.0, launched on 11 March 2025, mentors authors below what age?
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Correct answer: B — 30 years
PM-YUVA 3.0 trains young and budding authors below 30 years of age.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three themes of PM-YUVA 3.0?
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Correct answer: A — Unsung Heroes of the Freedom Movement
The three themes are the Indian Diaspora in Nation Building, the Indian Knowledge System, and Makers of Modern India (1950–2025).
Consider the following statements about PM-YUVA 3.0: 1. A total of 50 authors are to be selected, of whom 20 are for the Indian Knowledge System theme. 2. The selection contest is conducted through the MyGov portal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: 50 authors are selected — 10 for the Diaspora theme, 20 for Indian Knowledge System and 20 for Makers of Modern India — through an all-India contest on MyGov.
Under which law were the Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen and the Awami Action Committee declared unlawful associations on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
The MHA declared both under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
For what period were the JKIM and the AAC declared unlawful associations in March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 5 years
Both were declared unlawful associations for a period of five years.
Consider the following statements about the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal under the UAPA, 1967: 1. It consists of one person, who must be a Judge of a High Court. 2. A ban notification under Section 3 remains in force for five years only if the Tribunal confirms the declaration. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Section 5 provides a one-member Tribunal, who must be a High Court judge; Section 6 says a Section 3 notification, if confirmed by the Tribunal under Section 4, remains in force for five years.
The IWAI–Delhi government MoU of 11 March 2025 aims to develop cruise tourism on which river?
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Correct answer: B — Yamuna
The MoU covers a 4-km stretch of the Yamuna (National Waterway-110) between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur in Delhi.
The Yamuna cruise stretch covered by the March 2025 IWAI–Delhi MoU lies between which two places?
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Correct answer: D — Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur
The 4-km stretch is between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage.
Consider the following statements about the Yamuna cruise project under the IWAI–Delhi MoU of March 2025: 1. It is on National Waterway-110, upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage. 2. Diesel-powered catamarans carrying 100 passengers each will be deployed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: electric-solar hybrid boats carrying 20–30 passengers each will be used.
In which city of Punjab did President Droupadi Murmu attend the convocations of AIIMS and the Central University of Punjab on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Bathinda
Both AIIMS Bathinda and the Central University of Punjab are in Bathinda, where the President attended the two convocations.
By how much did India's coal imports fall in April–December 2024 compared with the same period of 2023-24?
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Correct answer: C — 8.4%
Coal imports fell 8.4% to 183.42 MT from 200.19 MT, saving about $5.43 billion in foreign exchange.
By what date did the Election Commission of India, on 11 March 2025, ask political parties to send suggestions on unresolved issues at the ERO, DEO or CEO level?
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Correct answer: C — 30 April 2025
The ECI invited suggestions from all national and state parties by 30 April 2025.
The Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Varanasi, for which NHLML and IWAI signed an MoU on 11 March 2025, will integrate with which National Waterway?
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Correct answer: A — National Waterway-1
The 150-acre Varanasi MMLP will integrate with National Waterway-1 (Ganga), as well as NH7 and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.
What was India's overall tele-density at the end of December 2024, as per data released on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 84.45%
Overall tele-density was 84.45%; 131.50% was the urban figure and 58.22% the rural one.
Which renewable energy company's acquisition by ONGC NTPC Green Private Limited did the CCI approve on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ayana Renewable Power
The CCI approved the acquisition of 100% of Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited by ONGC NTPC Green, a JV of ONGC Green and NTPC Green Energy.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi, whose appointment as a Supreme Court judge was notified on 10 March 2025, was a judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: D — Calcutta High Court
Justice Bagchi was a judge of the Calcutta High Court, where he was appointed on 27 June 2011.
Under which provision of the Constitution did the President appoint Justice Joymalya Bagchi as a Supreme Court judge?
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Correct answer: D — Article 124(2)
The 10 March 2025 notification cites clause (2) of Article 124, under which the President appoints Supreme Court judges.
Who was the last Chief Justice of India from the Calcutta High Court before Justice Joymalya Bagchi's elevation, as noted by the Collegium in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Justice Altamas Kabir
The Collegium noted that no CJI had come from the Calcutta High Court since Justice Altamas Kabir retired on 18 July 2013.
With Justice Joymalya Bagchi's appointment, the Supreme Court's working strength became 33 against a sanctioned strength of:
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Correct answer: C — 34
The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
Consider the following statements about Justice Joymalya Bagchi's elevation in March 2025: 1. He was first in the combined all-India seniority of High Court judges. 2. By seniority, he is in line to serve as Chief Justice of India from May 2031 until 2 October 2031. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Collegium said he stood 11th in the combined all-India seniority, and cited regional representation. Statement 2 is correct.
Which House of Parliament passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, on 10 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, on 10 March 2025; the Rajya Sabha passed it later.
How many sections did the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, which the 2025 Bill replaces, have?
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Correct answer: B — Three
The government described the 1856 Act as a brief three-section law governing the transfer of rights and confirmation of shipment.
Consider the following statements about the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025: 1. It substantially changes the rights and liabilities of carriers under the 1856 Act. 2. It empowers the Central Government to issue directions for implementing the law. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Bill simplifies language and reorganises provisions without altering their substance. Statement 2 is correct, along with a new repeal-and-saving clause.
According to C.R. Patil on 10 March 2025, how many rainwater harvesting structures were built in Navsari within 24 hours during the PM's Women's Day visit?
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Correct answer: C — 1,100
Patil said 1,100 rainwater harvesting structures were created in Navsari within 24 hours through community participation.
Consider the following statements about the Atal Bhujal Yojana: 1. It is a central sector scheme for community-led groundwater management, half of whose ₹6,000-crore outlay comes from a World Bank loan. 2. It covers all states that have over-exploited groundwater blocks. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the scheme covers seven states — Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh — in 80 districts.
Why was Manipur's 2025-26 Budget tabled in the Lok Sabha on 10 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — The state was under President's Rule
Manipur was under President's Rule after a Proclamation under Article 356 on 13 February 2025, so Parliament exercises the state legislature's powers.
What expenditure was estimated in Manipur's 2025-26 Budget tabled in Parliament in March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — About ₹35,104 crore
The Budget estimated expenditure of ₹35,103.90 crore, up from ₹32,656.81 crore in 2024-25.
Consider the following statements in the context of Manipur in March 2025: 1. Under a Proclamation of President's Rule, the President can declare that the powers of the state legislature shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. 2. The Proclamation of President's Rule in Manipur was issued on 13 February 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 356(1)(b) allows the President to declare that the state legislature's powers be exercisable by or under Parliament's authority; the Manipur Proclamation was issued on 13 February 2025, as the FM noted while tabling the Budget.
What was the estimated wheat production for 2024-25 in the Second Advance Estimates released on 10 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 1,154.30 lakh tonnes
Wheat was estimated at a record 1,154.30 LMT, 21.38 LMT above 2023-24's 1,132.92 LMT; 1,206.79 LMT is the kharif rice figure.
Which of the following crops was NOT listed with record production in the Second Advance Estimates for 2024-25?
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Correct answer: D — Rapeseed and mustard
Records were reported for kharif rice, wheat, kharif maize, kharif groundnut and soybean; rapeseed and mustard (128.73 LMT) was not marked a record.
Consider the following statements about the Second Advance Estimates of crop production for 2024-25: 1. Kharif rice production was estimated to be higher than wheat production. 2. Yield estimates are based mainly on crop-cutting experiments. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: kharif rice was put at 1,206.79 LMT against wheat at 1,154.30 LMT, and the ministry said yields are based on crop-cutting experiments, past trends and other factors.
The classical Ayurvedic formulation Vidangadi Lauham, covered by a CARI Kolkata–Jadavpur University MoU in March 2025, is to be evaluated for which condition?
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Correct answer: A — Diabetes
The joint project evaluates Vidangadi Lauham in the management of diabetes in experimental animals.
Which think tank hosted the seminar 'UAS Warfare with Special Focus on Counter-UAS' addressed by CDS Gen Anil Chauhan on 10 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS)
The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) hosted the seminar in New Delhi, with the CDS delivering the keynote.
In which city is Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, whose convocation President Murmu attended on 10 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Hisar
Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology is in Hisar, Haryana.