Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which state's Republic Day 2025 tableau featured Etikoppaka Bommalu, eco-friendly wooden toys?
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Correct answer: D — Andhra Pradesh
PIB 2096097: Andhra Pradesh's tableau theme was 'Etikoppaka Bommalu – Eco-Friendly Wooden Toys'.
Kharchi Puja, the worship of 14 deities, was the theme of which state's tableau at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Tripura
PIB 2096097: Tripura's tableau was 'Eternal Reverence: The worship of 14 Deities in Tripura – Kharchi Puja'.
Lakkundi, shown as the 'cradle of stone craft' on a Republic Day 2025 tableau, represented which state?
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Correct answer: A — Karnataka
PIB 2096097: Karnataka's tableau theme was 'Lakkundi: Cradle of Stone craft'.
Match the Republic Day 2025 tableaux with their themes: 1. Madhya Pradesh – Kuno National Park, the land of cheetahs 2. Bihar – Nalanda Vishwavidyalaya 3. Uttar Pradesh – Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096097: Madhya Pradesh showed Kuno National Park and Bihar showed Nalanda Vishwavidyalaya; Uttar Pradesh's theme was Mahakumbh 2025.
For which category did 'Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam' at the Republic Day Parade 2025 receive a Guinness World Record?
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Correct answer: D — The Largest Indian Folk Variety Dance
PIB 2096534: it was recognised by Guinness World Records for 'The Largest Indian Folk Variety Dance'.
Along with the Ministry of Culture, which body presented 'Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam' at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Sangeet Natak Akademi
PIB 2096534: the performance was by the Ministry of Culture and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Where is Bharat Parv, organised by the Ministry of Tourism from 26 to 31 January 2025, held?
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Correct answer: D — Red Fort lawns
PIB 2096601: Bharat Parv is held at the lawns and Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort, New Delhi.
What was the theme of Bharat Parv 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Dekho Apna Desh
PIB 2096601: the theme for Bharat Parv 2025 was 'Dekho Apna Desh'.
Since which year has Bharat Parv been organised annually from 26 to 31 January as part of the Republic Day celebrations?
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Correct answer: B — 2016
PIB 2096601: Bharat Parv has been organised annually since 2016, from 26 to 31 January at the Red Fort.
'Dharashakti', displayed on DRDO's Republic Day 2025 tableau, is what kind of system?
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Correct answer: D — Electronic warfare system
PIB 2096097: Dharashakti is an electronic warfare system; Arudhra is the medium power radar and UGRAM the assault rifle.
What was the theme of DRDO's tableau at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Raksha Kavach
PIB 2096097: DRDO's theme was 'Raksha Kavach – Multi-layer Protection against Multi-domain Threats'; 'Swarnim Bharat: Heritage and Progress' was the ICG tableau.
According to the DAHD tableau release, what was India's per capita milk availability in 2023-24?
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Correct answer: C — 471 grams per day
PIB 2096540: per capita availability was 471 grams per day in 2023-24, against a global average of 329 grams.
The theme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying's first Republic Day tableau in 2025 honoured what?
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Correct answer: A — Indigenous cattle breeds
PIB 2096540: the theme was 'Honouring India's Indigenous Cattle Breeds as Icons of Sustainable Rural Growth'.
Which helpline number for children was showcased on the WCD Ministry's Republic Day 2025 tableau?
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Correct answer: C — 1098
PIB 2096419: the tableau showcased Women Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098).
Which of the following schemes was showcased on the WCD Ministry's Republic Day 2025 tableau?
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Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
PIB 2096419: schemes shown included One Stop Centre, Women Helpline, Child Helpline and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
According to the SBI report highlighted on 26 January 2025, what were total investment announcements in April–December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹32.01 lakh crore
PIB 2096480: investment announcements in 9MFY25 stood at ₹32.01 lakh crore, up 39% from ₹23 lakh crore in 9MFY24.
Consider the following statements based on the SBI report highlighted by the Finance Ministry in January 2025: 1. Household net financial savings rose to 5.3% of GDP in FY24. 2. Private corporate investment reached 11.9% of GDP in FY23, the highest since FY16. 3. The public sector accounted for nearly 70% of investment announcements in 9MFY25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096480: HNFS rose to 5.3% of GDP in FY24 and private corporate investment hit 11.9% of GDP in FY23; nearly 70% of 9MFY25 announcements came from the private sector, not the public sector.
What capacity ashram did the Uttar Pradesh government set up in the Maha Kumbh area for senior citizens from old age homes?
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Correct answer: B — 100 beds
PIB 2096571: an ashram with a 100-bed capacity was established in the Kumbh area for senior citizens living in old age homes.
About how many senior citizens from old age homes had taken a dip at the Sangam by Republic Day 2025, according to the Culture Ministry release?
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Correct answer: B — About 450
PIB 2096571: around 450 senior citizens from different parts of the state had reached Maha Kumbh and taken a dip at the Sangam.
How many Padma Vibhushan awards were announced for 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 7
PIB 2096285 (MHA): the list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards.
What was the total number of Padma Awards approved for 2025, counting the duo case as one?
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Correct answer: C — 139
PIB 2096285: the President approved 139 Padma Awards including 1 duo case, counted as one.
Consider the following statements about the Padma Awards 2025: 1. 19 Padma Bhushan awards were announced. 2. 23 of the awardees are women. 3. 10 awards were conferred posthumously. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096285: there are 19 Padma Bhushan awards and 23 women awardees; 13 awards are posthumous, while 10 is the count of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI awardees.
Which Japanese industrialist was named for the Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) in Trade and Industry in 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Osamu Suzuki
PIB 2096285: Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous), Trade and Industry, Japan, is among the 7 Padma Vibhushan awardees.
Match the Padma Awards 2025 recipients with their award category: 1. Sharda Sinha – Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) 2. P R Sreejesh – Padma Bhushan 3. Arijit Singh – Padma Bhushan Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096285: Sharda Sinha received the Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) and P R Sreejesh the Padma Bhushan (sports); Arijit Singh is in the Padma Shri list.
National Voters' Day, observed on 25 January, commemorates the foundation day of which body?
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Correct answer: D — Election Commission of India
PIB 2096091: since 2011, National Voters' Day is observed on 25 January to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India.
Which book did President Droupadi Murmu receive the first copy of on the 15th National Voters' Day?
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Correct answer: A — India Votes 2024: A Saga of Democracy
PIB 2096091: she received the first copy of 'India Votes 2024: A Saga of Democracy' from CEC Rajiv Kumar.
Since which year has National Voters' Day been observed annually in India?
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Correct answer: A — 2011
PIB 2096091: National Voters' Day has been observed annually on 25 January since 2011.
Which Indonesian President was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day in 1950, as recalled during Prabowo Subianto's 2025 visit?
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Correct answer: A — Sukarno
PIB 2096322: President Murmu noted that 75 years ago, at the first Republic Day in 1950, President Sukarno of Indonesia was the chief guest.
Consider the following outcomes of the Indonesian President's State Visit to India in January 2025: 1. An MoU on traditional medicine quality assurance with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority. 2. A Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025-28. 3. An MoU on space cooperation between ISRO and Indonesia's space agency. Which of the above were listed among the outcomes?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096278: outcomes included the traditional medicine MoU (PCIM&H–Indonesian FDA), MoUs on health and digital development and a 2025-28 cultural exchange programme; no space MoU was listed.
Which edition of the India-Indonesia CEOs Forum presented its joint report during the January 2025 State Visit?
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Correct answer: C — 3rd
PIB 2096278: the co-chairs of the 3rd India-Indonesia CEOs Forum presented their joint report.
How many Kirti Chakras were approved on the eve of Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 2
PIB 2096200: two Kirti Chakras (one posthumous) and 14 Shaurya Chakras were approved.
Consider the following statements about the Republic Day 2025 gallantry awards: 1. Gallantry awards were approved for 93 personnel, including 12 posthumous. 2. 14 Shaurya Chakras were approved. 3. 305 defence decorations included 50 Param Vishisht Seva Medals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096200: 93 gallantry awards (12 posthumous) and 14 Shaurya Chakras were approved; the 305 defence decorations included 30 PVSMs, not 50.
Who among the following received the Kirti Chakra posthumously on the eve of Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Naik Dilwar Khan
PIB 2096200: Kirti Chakras went to Major Manjit (22 RR) and Naik Dilwar Khan (28 RR, posthumous); Captain Deepak Singh received the Shaurya Chakra (posthumous).
How many Medals for Gallantry were awarded to police and fire personnel on Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 95
PIB 2096015: 95 Medals for Gallantry (78 police, 17 fire service), 101 PSM and 746 MSM were awarded.
What was the total number of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services personnel awarded medals on Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 942
PIB 2096015: a total of 942 personnel were awarded Gallantry and Service Medals.
Which school won first prize in the Pipe Band – Girls category of the National School Band Competition 6.0?
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Correct answer: B — PM SHRI KGBV Patamda, Jharkhand
PIB 2096287: PM SHRI KGBV Patamda, Purbi Singhbhum, Jharkhand won first prize; Bhonsala Military School Girls, Nashik came second.
For the first time, three government school bands were set to perform at the Republic Day Parade 2025. Which states were they from?
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Correct answer: A — Jharkhand, Sikkim and Karnataka
PIB 2096083: school bands from Jharkhand (KGBV Patamda), Sikkim (West Point, Gangtok) and Karnataka (KV No. 2 Belagavi Cantt.) were to perform.
How many Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padaks were approved in the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2024?
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Correct answer: D — 17
PIB 2096171: 17 Sarvottam, 9 Uttam and 23 Jeevan Raksha Padaks were approved for 49 persons.
How many of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2024 awardees were honoured posthumously?
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Correct answer: B — 6
PIB 2096171: six of the 49 awardees are posthumous.
Which organisation received the Best Electoral Practices Award 2024-25 as the best government department for voter education and electoral participation?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Railways
PIB 2096251: President Murmu conferred the award on Indian Railways; Railway Board Chairman & CEO Satish Kumar received it.
Doordarshan won the ECI media award for voter awareness in which category?
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Correct answer: C — Electronic Media (TV)
PIB 2096231: Doordarshan was honoured in the Electronic Media (TV) category for its voter awareness campaign.
Which PSU declared the Commercial Operation Date of Unit 1 of the Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant in January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — THDC India Limited
PIB 2096725: THDC India Limited declared the COD of Unit 1 of the 1,320 MW KSTPP in the midnight of 25 January 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant: 1. It has a capacity of 2×660 MW. 2. Uttar Pradesh has the largest share of its power. 3. Rajasthan is allocated 21.3% of its power. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2096725: KSTPP is a 2×660 MW plant; UP gets 64.7% and Rajasthan 21.3% of its power, so all three statements are correct.
With which organisation did the Directorate General of Shipping sign an umbrella MoU on 25 January 2025 to drive maritime innovation?
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Correct answer: A — C-DAC
PIB 2096078: DGS signed the umbrella MoU with C-DAC, a scientific society under MeitY.
C-DAC, which signed an MoU with DG Shipping in January 2025, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
PIB 2096078: C-DAC is a Scientific Society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Which state topped NITI Aayog's inaugural Fiscal Health Index 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Odisha
PIB 2095974: Odisha topped with a score of 67.8, followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6).
Who launched NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025 on 24 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Arvind Panagariya
PIB 2095974: 16th Finance Commission Chairman Arvind Panagariya launched the inaugural FHI 2025.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five sub-indices of NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Ease of Doing Business
PIB 2095974: the sub-indices are Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index and Debt Sustainability.
Which state ranked second in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh
PIB 2095974: Odisha (67.8) was followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6).
Which two Indian cities became the first to receive Wetland City Accreditation under the Ramsar Convention in January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Indore and Udaipur
TOI: Indore and Udaipur were accredited; Bhopal was nominated but not accredited.
Consider the following statements about Wetland City Accreditation in January 2025: 1. Indore and Udaipur were among 31 newly accredited cities. 2. Bhopal, also nominated by India, was accredited in the same round. 3. Accreditation requires meeting six international criteria. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
TOI: Indore and Udaipur were among 31 new cities and accreditation needs all six international criteria; Bhopal was nominated but not accredited.
The latest round of Wetland City Accreditation announced in January 2025, which included Indore and Udaipur, took the global list of accredited Wetland Cities to how many cities?
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Correct answer: C — 74
TOI: the independent Advisory Committee on Wetland City Accreditation accredited 31 new cities, taking the global list to 74. (85 is the number of Ramsar sites in India.)
NUCFDC, whose corporate office was inaugurated in Mumbai on 24 January 2025, is the umbrella organisation for which institutions?
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Correct answer: B — Urban cooperative banks
PIB 2095982: the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation is the umbrella organisation for urban cooperative banks.
How many urban cooperative banks does India have, according to the Cooperation Minister on 24 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 1,465
PIB 2095982: India has 1,465 urban cooperative banks, nearly half in Gujarat and Maharashtra, and 49 scheduled cooperative banks.
'SANJAY', flagged off on 24 January 2025, is what kind of system?
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Correct answer: D — Battlefield surveillance system
PIB 2095712: SANJAY is the Battlefield Surveillance System that fuses sensor inputs into a Common Surveillance Picture.
Consider the following statements about SANJAY: 1. It was jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited. 2. It was developed at a cost of ₹2,402 crore under the Buy (Indian) category. 3. Its induction is to be completed in a single phase in March 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2095712: SANJAY was developed by the Army and BEL at ₹2,402 crore under Buy (Indian); induction is in three phases from March to October 2025.
Karimnagar Smart City, where Union Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated projects on 24 January 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: B — Telangana
PIB 2095823: the minister visited Karimnagar Smart City, Telangana, on 24 January 2025.
How many projects is Karimnagar Smart City implementing, according to the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry in January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 50
PIB 2095823: Karimnagar Smart City is implementing 50 projects worth ₹1,117 crore, of which 36 are complete.
Consider the following about Karimnagar Smart City (January 2025): 1. Its 50 projects are worth ₹1,117 crore. 2. Over 1 lakh tonnes of legacy waste has been processed. 3. Smart classrooms were developed in 53 government schools. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2095823: 50 projects worth ₹1,117 crore, over 1 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste processed and smart classrooms in 53 government schools.
Which ministry was the top procurer on the Government e Marketplace in FY 2024-25 as of January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Coal
PIB 2095901: the Ministry of Coal emerged as the top procurer with transacted order value of nearly ₹1.63 lakh crore.
What share of GeM's gross merchandise value in FY 2024-25 (as of 23 January 2025) came from the services segment?
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Correct answer: C — 62%
PIB 2095901: services accounted for ₹2.54 lakh crore, 62% of total GMV; products were 38%.
What was GeM's gross merchandise value for FY 2024-25 as on 23 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ₹4.09 lakh crore
PIB 2095901: GeM clocked a GMV of ₹4.09 lakh crore as on 23 January 2025, nearly 50% above the same period last year.
The 258.94 km railway quadrupling project evaluated at the 86th NPG meeting links Vadodara with which city?
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Correct answer: D — Ratlam
PIB 2096204: the project adds a third and fourth line between Vadodara (Gujarat) and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh).
The Network Planning Group under PM GatiShakti is chaired by an official of which department?
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Correct answer: A — DPIIT
PIB 2096204: the 86th NPG meeting was chaired by E. Srinivas, Joint Secretary, DPIIT.
'Digi Vidya', under which smart classrooms were inaugurated in Jharkhand on 24 January 2025, is a CSR initiative of which group?
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Correct answer: B — Coal India subsidiaries
PIB 2095895: Digi Vidya is a CSR initiative of Coal India's subsidiaries.
How many government schools were upgraded with smart classrooms in the first phase of Coal India's Digi Vidya initiative?
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Correct answer: C — 272
PIB 2095895: 272 government schools were upgraded with smart classrooms in the first phase.
Through which app and portal can citizens report suspected fraud communications such as spoofed calls to the DoT?
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Correct answer: A — Sanchar Saathi
PIB 2095917: DoT urged citizens to report suspected fraud communications on the Sanchar Saathi mobile app and portal.
Consider the following statements about DoT's action against spoofed international calls (January 2025): 1. Telcos blocked more than 20 foreign carriers handing over spoofed calls. 2. The prevention system blocked about 1.35 crore spoofed calls in its first 24 hours. 3. The prevention system was imported from a foreign vendor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2095917: telcos blocked more than 20 carriers and the system blocked about 1.35 crore spoofed calls in 24 hours; the system is indigenously developed.
How many new employees were enrolled under the ESI Scheme in November 2024, as per ESIC's provisional payroll data?
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Correct answer: B — 16.07 lakh
PIB 2095848: 16.07 lakh new employees were added in November 2024, against 15.92 lakh in November 2023.
What share of new ESI registrations in November 2024 belonged to the age group of up to 25 years?
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Correct answer: C — About 47%
PIB 2095848: 7.57 lakh employees, around 47.11% of total registrations, were up to 25 years of age.
Which institution was selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025 in the institutional category?
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Correct answer: B — INCOIS, Hyderabad
PIB 2095323: the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, was selected.
What cash prize does the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar carry for an institution?
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Correct answer: A — ₹51 lakh
PIB 2095323: ₹51 lakh and a certificate for an institution; ₹5 lakh and a certificate for an individual.
Consider the following about INCOIS: 1. It was established in 1999 in Hyderabad. 2. Its tsunami warning centre issues alerts within 10 minutes for India and 28 Indian Ocean countries. 3. It developed the Search and Rescue Aided Tool (SARAT). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2095323: INCOIS was set up in 1999 in Hyderabad, its ITEWC gives alerts within 10 minutes to India and 28 Indian Ocean countries, and it developed SARAT.
Where were the main Parakram Diwas 2025 celebrations held on 23 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Barabati Fort, Cuttack
PIB 2095640: Parakram Diwas 2025 began at Barabati Fort in Cuttack, Odisha, Netaji's birthplace.
Parakram Diwas 2025 marked which birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?
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Correct answer: D — 128th
PIB 2095640: the celebration marked the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji, who was born in 1897.
Consider the following about Parakram Diwas 2025: 1. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi hoisted the National Flag at the Netaji Birthplace Museum. 2. INA veteran R. Madhavan Pillai was felicitated. 3. The event was cut short to a single day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2095640: the CM hoisted the flag at the Birthplace Museum and felicitated R. Madhavan Pillai; the three-day event was extended by a day to 26 January.