Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
On which date was the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana launched?
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Correct answer: A — 8 April 2015
The Finance Ministry says PMMY was launched by the Prime Minister on 8 April 2015; it completed 11 years on 8 April 2026.
Under PM Mudra Yojana, collateral-free institutional credit is available up to what amount for non-corporate, non-farm income-generating activities?
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Correct answer: C — ₹20 lakh
The Finance Ministry says PMMY offers collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities.
Consider the following statements about PM Mudra Yojana as of April 2026: 1. Two-thirds of the loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs. 2. More than 57.79 crore loans have been sanctioned, with ₹40.07 lakh crore disbursed. 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 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on PMMY's 11th anniversary.
According to IRENA's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, India moved ahead of which country to rank third in installed renewable energy capacity?
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Correct answer: B — Brazil
Pralhad Joshi said India moved ahead of Brazil; IRENA lists India at 250.52 GW and Brazil at 228.20 GW, behind China and the USA.
What was India's total installed non-fossil fuel capacity as on 31 March 2026, according to MNRE?
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Correct answer: D — 283.46 GW
MNRE put non-fossil capacity at 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026: 274.68 GW renewable (incl. large hydro) plus 8.78 GW nuclear. 250.52 GW is IRENA's renewable figure as of December 2025.
Consider the following statements: 1. India reached 50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target. 2. Wind capacity additions of 6.05 GW in 2025-26 were the highest ever in a single 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 MNRE: the 50% milestone came in June 2025, and 6.05 GW of wind in 2025-26 was the highest ever (4.15 GW the year before).
Which startup's indigenous technology was used for the 1,000-km quantum communication network demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission?
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Correct answer: A — QNu Labs
DST said the milestone was achieved using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission.
What is the National Quantum Mission's target for quantum communication network length over an eight-year period?
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Correct answer: D — 2,000 km
DST said the 1,000-km demonstration marks progress against the mission's target of 2,000 km over eight years.
What is the approximate tentative budgetary requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2026, as approved on 8 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹41,533.81 crore
The Cabinet put the Kharif 2026 requirement at about ₹41,533.81 crore, around ₹4,317 crore more than Kharif 2025's ₹37,216.15 crore.
Since when has subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers been governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2010
The Cabinet release says subsidy on P&K fertilisers has been governed by the NBS scheme with effect from 1 April 2010.
Jaipur Metro Phase-2, approved by the Union Cabinet on 8 April 2026, will be a North–South corridor of what length and how many stations?
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Correct answer: B — 41 km, 36 stations
The Cabinet approved a 41-km North–South corridor from Prahladpura to Todi Mod with 36 stations. 11.64 km with 11 stations is Phase-1.
Consider the following statements about Jaipur Metro: 1. Phase-2 will be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited, a 50:50 joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan. 2. The operational Phase-1 runs along a North–South axis from Prahladpura to Todi Mod. 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: Phase-1 runs East–West from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar; Prahladpura–Todi Mod is the new North–South Phase-2.
By when is Jaipur Metro Phase-2 targeted for completion?
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Correct answer: C — September 2031
The Cabinet release says Phase-2 is targeted for completion by September 2031.
On departing Malé on 8 April 2026, IOS SAGAR (INS Sunayna) held a Passage Exercise with which Maldivian vessel?
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Correct answer: B — MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee
The Defence Ministry said the ship held a PASSEX with the MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee on departure.
IOS SAGAR's multinational crew during its April 2026 Maldives visit included personnel from how many friendly foreign countries?
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Correct answer: C — 16
The Defence Ministry said the multinational crew comprised personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries.
Under which operation did the DRI seize about 29.37 kg of gold from 24 women carriers at Mumbai airport in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Operation Dhahabu Blitz
The Finance Ministry said the 24 foreign nationals were intercepted under Operation Dhahabu Blitz.
The women carriers intercepted in Operation Dhahabu Blitz at Mumbai airport had arrived from which city?
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Correct answer: B — Nairobi
The DRI said the group of female carriers was arriving from Nairobi.
What mission framework is proposed in NITI Aayog's 'Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir' (April 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — Operation Golden Greens
NITI Aayog said a key highlight of the roadmap is the proposed mission framework 'Operation Golden Greens'. Operation Greens is a separate existing scheme.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's J&K horticulture roadmap: 1. Its proposed mission framework covers fruits, dry fruits, vegetables, floriculture and minor crops. 2. The report was released at SKUAST in Srinagar. 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: the report was released at a workshop at NITI Aayog, New Delhi (SKUAST was among participating institutions).
The 'as-is where-is' decision announced on 7 April 2026 enables regularisation of how many of Delhi's 1,731 unauthorised colonies?
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Correct answer: A — 1,511
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said regularisation of 1,511 out of 1,731 unauthorised colonies has been enabled.
In which year was PM-UDAY (Pradhan Mantri – Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana) launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2019
The Housing Ministry said PM-UDAY was launched on 29 October 2019, after the 2019 Regulations were notified that month.
Consider the following statements about the regularisation of Delhi's unauthorised colonies announced in April 2026: 1. Applications on the SWAGAM portal will be accepted from 24 April 2026. 2. Conveyance deeds are to be issued within 45 days. 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 Housing Ministry release: applications open on 24 April, and the timeline includes conveyance deeds within 45 days.
According to NITI Aayog's 'From Borrowers to Builders' report (April 2026), what credit portfolio do women borrowers in India hold, and what share of system credit is it?
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Correct answer: B — ₹76 lakh crore; 26%
The report says women borrowers hold a ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio, 26% of total system credit. ₹16 lakh crore was the 2017 figure.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report released on 7 April 2026: 1. It is the second edition of 'From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market'. 2. Credit penetration among women rose from 19% to 36% between December 2017 and December 2025. 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 NITI Aayog's release on the report.
Under NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the 'From Borrowers to Builders' report was prepared by which organisations?
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Correct answer: D — TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting
NITI Aayog said the report, under the aegis of WEP, was prepared by TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting (MSC).
What is the outlay of the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets?
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Correct answer: B — ₹7,280 crore
The Ministry of Heavy Industries said the scheme has an outlay of ₹7,280 crore.
Consider the following statements about the rare earth permanent magnet scheme: 1. The government will select a maximum of five entities through bidding. 2. Each selected entity can set up facilities of up to 1,200 MTPA, adding up to a maximum of 6,000 MTPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: MHI said at most five entities will be selected, each with up to 1,200 MTPA, for a total of up to 6,000 MTPA.
The rare earth permanent magnet facilities sought under the ₹7,280 crore scheme are for which type of magnet?
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Correct answer: D — Sintered NdFeB
The RFP is for integrated sintered NdFeB (neodymium–iron–boron) rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing facilities.
Which two cooperatives were congratulated by Amit Shah on 7 April 2026 for crossing ₹1 lakh crore annual turnover in 2025–26?
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Correct answer: A — Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul
The Ministry of Cooperation said Shah congratulated Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul.
In which financial year did Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul cross ₹1 lakh crore in annual turnover, as per the Ministry of Cooperation?
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Correct answer: B — 2025–26
Amit Shah's message refers to crossing the ₹1 lakh crore annual turnover mark in 2025–26.
PM Modi congratulated To Lam on 7 April 2026 on his election to which office?
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Correct answer: B — President of Vietnam
The PMO said Modi congratulated To Lam on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
In his message to Vietnam's To Lam on 7 April 2026, PM Modi spoke of deepening which partnership?
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Correct answer: A — Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Modi said he looked forward to deepening the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Yoga Mahotsav–2026 at Lonar entered the Asia Book of Records for the largest gathering performing which asana?
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Correct answer: B — Trikonasana
The Ayush Ministry said the event entered the Asia Book of Records for the largest gathering performing Trikonasana.
Lonar, venue of Yoga Mahotsav–2026 marking the 75-day countdown to IDY 2026, is in which district of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: D — Buldhana
The Ayush Ministry said the event was held at Chhatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj Udyan, Lonar, district Buldhana, Maharashtra.
The CCI case on bid-rigging in Assam Police Housing Corporation's electrification tenders arose from a complaint by which office?
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Correct answer: C — Office of the Accountant General (Audit), Assam
CCI said the proceedings arose out of a complaint dated 10 August 2020 from the Office of the Accountant General (Audit), Assam.
In its order of 7 April 2026 on the Assam Police Housing tenders, the CCI found the parties in violation of which provision of the Competition Act, 2002?
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Correct answer: D — Section 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1)
CCI found bid-rigging in violation of Section 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1), and issued its cease-and-desist direction under Section 27.
Consider the following statements about the CCI order of 7 April 2026: 1. The cease-and-desist direction was issued under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002. 2. The tenders in question were floated by the Assam Public Works Department. 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: the tenders were invited by the Assam Police Housing Corporation Limited.
Under which section of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has the Centre designated repositories such as CMLRE's Referral Centre Bhavasagara?
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Correct answer: C — Section 39
The Environment Ministry said the institutions were notified as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Consider the following statements about the repositories notified in April 2026: 1. The Referral Centre Bhavasagara at CMLRE, Kochi, is dedicated to deep-sea biodiversity. 2. The National Fungal Culture Collection of India is housed at CMLRE, Kochi. 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: the National Fungal Culture Collection is at the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, whose Parkash Purab was marked on 7 April 2026, was which Guru of Sikhism?
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Correct answer: D — Ninth
The Home Ministry release describes Guru Tegh Bahadur as the ninth Guru of Sikhism.
By which title is Guru Tegh Bahadur revered, as cited in the Home Minister's Parkash Purab message of April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Hind di Chadar
Amit Shah's message refers to 'Hind di Chadar' Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.
Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) signed an MoU on 7 April 2026 with which body to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
The I&B Ministry said Doordarshan signed the MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Consider the following statements about the Doordarshan–ICCR MoU: 1. It provides for joint ownership of content rights, including digital rights, in perpetuity. 2. It was signed on 7 April 2026 at Doordarshan Bhawan, New Delhi. 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 I&B Ministry release.
Under the ICAR Special Task Force's framework (April 2026), the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' campaign will prioritise how many aspirational districts?
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Correct answer: A — 100
ICAR said the widened MGMG campaign will prioritise 100 aspirational districts.
The ICAR Special Task Force emphasised 'DSR' as a mechanical intervention. What does DSR stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Direct Seeding of Rice
The ICAR release refers to mechanical solutions including Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR).
Tejveer Singh assumed charge on 7 April 2026 as Secretary of which department?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
PIB said Tejveer Singh assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Nivedita Shukla Verma, outgoing Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, has been appointed Secretary of which department?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
PIB said she has been appointed Secretary, DARPG, with additional charge of the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare.
What is the capacity of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam that attained first criticality on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 500 MWe
The Department of Atomic Energy describes the PFBR as a 500 MWe reactor.
Consider the following statements about the PFBR at Kalpakkam: 1. Its technology and design were developed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). 2. It was built and commissioned by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). 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: the DAE says the PFBR was built and commissioned by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd), a DAE PSU.
According to the PIB backgrounder on the PFBR, once it is fully operational India will become only the second country to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor after which country?
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Correct answer: D — Russia
The PIB backgrounder says that once fully operational, India will be only the second country in the world after Russia to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor.
Which body launched the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Statistics Office, MoSPI
MoSPI said the National Statistics Office (NSO) launched the first-ever ASISSE.
Which database is used as the sampling frame for the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)?
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Correct answer: B — GSTN database
MoSPI said the survey uses the GSTN database as its sampling frame.
Consider the following statements about ASISSE: 1. Its reference period is the financial year 2024-25. 2. It covers unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises, which were earlier covered by the Annual Survey of Industries. 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: ASISSE covers incorporated enterprises (companies and LLPs); unincorporated enterprises are covered by ASUSE, and the ASI covers registered manufacturing.
What is the total value of the safety, signalling and communication works approved by Indian Railways, as announced on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,364.45 crore
The Ministry of Railways said projects worth ₹1,364.45 crore were approved. ₹2,950 crore and ₹4,871 crore are sub-umbrella and umbrella figures, and ₹27,693 crore is the Kavach umbrella work.
Which version of Kavach equipment is to be installed on 232 Southern Railway locomotives under the works approved in April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Version 4.0
The ministry said the work covers installation of Kavach Version 4.0 equipment on 232 locomotives.
Electronic interlocking worth ₹578.02 crore is to replace panel interlocking at 49 stations in which railway zone?
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Correct answer: D — South Central Railway
The ministry said electronic interlocking at 49 stations on high-density routes is in South Central Railway.
The BCAS–Rashtriya Raksha University MoU of 6 April 2026 is for setting up a testing centre mainly for which equipment?
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Correct answer: D — Full body scanners and other airport security screening equipment
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the centre will conduct trials, evaluation and certification of full body scanners and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.
Consider the following statements about the BCAS–RRU MoU: 1. Rashtriya Raksha University was established in 2010. 2. The MoU was signed at the RRU campus in Gandhinagar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the minister's remarks in the release. Statement 2 is wrong: the MoU was signed in New Delhi.
At which shipyard were the keel laying of FPV-4 and plate cutting of FPV-7 for the Indian Coast Guard held on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai
The Ministry of Defence said both ceremonies were held at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Coast Guard's Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) being built at MDL: 1. They are water-jet propelled vessels of about 340 tonnes displacement. 2. FPV-4 and FPV-7 are part of a 14-vessel FPV project. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the FPVs are water-jet propelled with about 340 T displacement, and they belong to the 14 FPV project (Yards 16501–14).
On which occasion did Rajnath Singh lay foundation stones at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 262nd Army Medical Corps Raising Day
The Ministry of Defence said the foundation stones were laid as part of the 262nd Army Medical Corps Raising Day celebrations.
What bed capacity is planned for the new infrastructure at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, whose foundation was laid on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 998 beds plus 100 crisis expansion beds
The ministry said the new Base Hospital infrastructure is being developed with 998 beds and an additional 100 crisis expansion beds.
What cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) did the Government e Marketplace (GeM) report on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹18.4 lakh crore
The Commerce Ministry said GeM achieved a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore; over ₹5 lakh crore was in 2025-26 alone.
What share of total orders on GeM in 2025-26 was executed by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)?
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Correct answer: B — 68%
The ministry said MSEs executed 68% of total orders, accounting for 47.1% of GMV.
Scientists from which institution developed the 'paired biometric threshold' to distinguish cereal pollen from wild grass pollen in the Central Ganga Plain?
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Correct answer: B — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
DST said the study was by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institution of DST, with collaborators.
Consider the following statements about the BSIP pollen study released in April 2026: 1. Cereal pollen generally exceeds 46 µm in grain diameter and 9 µm in annulus size, pearl millet being an exception. 2. The study was published in the journal Nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is the threshold reported by DST. Statement 2 is wrong: the study was published in The Holocene (SAGE).
Narendra Bhooshan assumed charge on 6 April 2026 as Secretary of which department?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Land Resources
The Ministry of Rural Development said he assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Land Resources.
Narendra Bhooshan, the new Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, belongs to which IAS batch and cadre?
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Correct answer: A — 1992 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre
The release says he is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
According to 'Market for Textiles & Clothing: National Household Survey 2024', what was the market size of textiles in India in 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹14.95 lakh crore
The Textiles Committee study puts the market size of textiles at ₹14.95 lakh crore in 2024; ₹12.02 lakh crore is the domestic market and ₹8.77 lakh crore is household demand.
As per the National Household Survey 2024 on textiles, which fibre category had the largest share of the product basket?
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Correct answer: D — Man-made fibre (MMF) and blended products
MMF and blended products contributed 52.2%, followed by cotton at 41.2%, silk at 5.2% and wool at 1.3%.