Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In his Punyatithi tribute on 3 April 2026, Amit Shah credited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with establishing:
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Correct answer: C — Hindavi Swarajya
Amit Shah said Shivaji Maharaj united the people and established Hindavi Swarajya.
On 3 April 2026, tributes were paid to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on which occasion?
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Correct answer: D — Punyatithi (death anniversary)
The Home Ministry release says Amit Shah paid tribute on his Punyatithi.
What is the estimated cost of the Road Over Bridge at LC-235 approved for Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla?
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Correct answer: B — ₹132.51 crore
The Ports Ministry put the project cost at ₹132.51 crore.
Which agency is constructing the Road Over Bridge at LC-235 at Deendayal Port on a deposit basis?
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Correct answer: C — Western Railway
The ministry said the construction is being undertaken by Western Railway on a deposit basis.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 amends 784 provisions across how many Central Acts?
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Correct answer: B — 79
The Commerce Ministry said 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 ministries are amended.
Consider the following statements about the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026: 1. The Lok Sabha Select Committee that examined its 2025 predecessor was chaired by Tejasvi Surya. 2. Of the 784 provisions amended, 717 were amended to facilitate ease of living. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The 717 provisions were decriminalised to promote ease of doing business; 67 provisions were amended for ease of living.
On which date did the Rajya Sabha pass the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 2 April 2026
PRS Bill Track records passage by the Lok Sabha on 1 April and by the Rajya Sabha on 2 April 2026; it was introduced on 27 March.
What was the value of India's defence exports in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — ₹38,424 crore
The Ministry of Defence said defence exports touched an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26; ₹23,622 crore was the FY 2024-25 figure.
Consider the following statements about India's defence exports in FY 2025-26: 1. Defence Public Sector Undertakings contributed a larger share than the private sector. 2. India exported defence equipment to more than 80 countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: DPSUs contributed 54.84% (₹21,071 crore) against the private sector's 45.16%, and exports went to more than 80 countries.
As per the Defence Ministry, how many defence exporters were there in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — 145
The number of exporters rose to 145 from 128, a 13.3% rise.
Which Indian Navy ship set sail from Mumbai as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR on 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — INS Sunayna
The Ministry of Defence said INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, sailed as IOS SAGAR.
Who flagged off IOS SAGAR from Mumbai on 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth
The ship was flagged off by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.
Personnel from how many friendly foreign countries' maritime forces were on board IOS SAGAR 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 16
The release says the ship carried personnel from India and sixteen maritime forces of friendly foreign countries.
What was coal production from captive and commercial mines in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — 210.46 MT
The Coal Ministry said production reached 210.46 MT; 204.61 MT was dispatch and 190.95 MT the previous year's production.
How many captive and commercial coal blocks were operationalised through Mine Opening Permission in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — 12
12 blocks were operationalised, adding over 86 MT of capacity; 7 blocks began production within the year.
Till which date has the full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical products, announced on 2 April 2026, been granted?
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Correct answer: C — 30 June 2026
The Finance Ministry said the exemption is till 30 June 2026.
Consider the following statements about the customs duty exemption on critical petrochemicals announced on 2 April 2026: 1. It is a permanent reduction in customs duty. 2. Methanol (methyl alcohol) is among the products covered. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The ministry called it temporary and targeted relief valid till 30 June 2026, and methanol is listed in the annexure.
For what period does the cost escalation compensation mechanism for National Highway projects, announced on 2 April 2026, apply?
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Correct answer: A — 1 April to 30 June 2026
MoRTH said the measures apply for three months, from 1 April till 30 June 2026, or until further review.
Under the revised price adjustment for EPC highway contracts, the Wholesale Price Index will be taken for which period?
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Correct answer: C — One month before the Interim Payment Certificate month
MoRTH said WPI will now be taken for one month prior to the relevant IPC month, in place of three months prior.
Which Indian port conducted a trial shore-to-ship methanol bunkering operation on 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Deendayal Port (Kandla), Gujarat
The Ports Ministry said Kandla Port (Deendayal Port Authority) conducted the trial on 2 April 2026.
Kandla Port was rated at which level on the IAPH Port Readiness Level scale for methanol bunkering?
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Correct answer: A — Level 6
After DNV's assessment, the port was rated Level 6 on the IAPH Port Readiness Level scale.
Kandla Port is working to ensure about how much RFNBO-compliant e-methanol availability by 2028-29?
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Correct answer: D — 500 KTPA
The ministry said the port is working towards approximately 500 KTPA of RFNBO-compliant e-methanol by 2028-29.
SAMPANN, the Department of Telecommunications platform adopted by Goa on 2 April 2026, stands for:
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Correct answer: D — System for Accounting and Management of Pension
The release expands SAMPANN as System for Accounting and Management of Pension.
Besides the Government of Goa, which body signed on 2 April 2026 to adopt SAMPANN as a platform-as-a-service?
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Correct answer: A — Cochin Port Authority
The agreement covered the State Government of Goa and the Cochin Port Authority.
KOICA, with which India's Ports Ministry signed a shipbuilding skill development plan on 2 April 2026, is an agency of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Republic of Korea
KOICA is the Korea International Cooperation Agency; the release refers to leveraging the Republic of Korea's expertise.
The MoPSW–KOICA shipbuilding skill development project is aligned with which vision document?
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Correct answer: C — Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
The ministry said the project is aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Which meeting of CAQM's Enforcement Task Force was held on 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 128th
The Environment Ministry said the 128th ETF meeting was held on 2 April 2026.
How many inspections by CAQM flying squads were reviewed at the Enforcement Task Force meeting of 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 175
A total of 175 inspections were carried out in the reporting period, including 114 for DG-set violations; 140 was the road-dust violation count.
Where was the fifth India–Mozambique Joint Defence Working Group meeting held on 1–2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Maputo
The Ministry of Defence said the meeting was held in Maputo, Mozambique.
Which edition of the India–Mozambique Joint Defence Working Group meeting was held in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Fifth
The release describes it as the fifth JDWG meeting.
Who was the first to complete self-enumeration when Census 2027 began on 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — President Droupadi Murmu
The Home Ministry said the exercise began with the enumeration of President Droupadi Murmu, upholding the tradition of starting with the First Citizen.
Between which dates will the Houselisting and Housing Census phase of Census 2027 be conducted across the country?
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Correct answer: A — 1 April – 30 September 2026
The HLO phase runs nationally from 1 April to 30 September 2026; 16 April–15 May is the houselisting window in the first set of states/UTs.
How many questions have been notified for Phase I (Houselisting and Housing Census) of Census 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 33
A total of 33 questions for Phase I were notified in January 2026; 16 is the number of regional languages for self-enumeration.
On which date did the Income-tax Act, 2025 receive the President's assent?
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Correct answer: C — 21 August 2025
The Finance Ministry said the Bill was passed by Parliament on 12 August 2025 and received assent on 21 August 2025; the Rules were notified on 20 March 2026 and the Act came into force on 1 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about the Income-tax Act, 2025: 1. It replaces the Income-tax Act, 1961. 2. It alters the underlying tax policy to introduce new tax rates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ministry said the Act simplifies the law without altering the underlying tax policy.
Which body notified the Income-tax Rules, 2026 to operationalise the Income-tax Act, 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Central Board of Direct Taxes
The Income-tax Rules, 2026 were notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes on 20 March 2026.
Where will the coal-to-ammonium nitrate project of Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd be set up?
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Correct answer: C — Lakhanpur, Odisha
The land lease signed on 1 April 2026 is for the project at Lakhanpur, Odisha.
The Lakhanpur project will be India's first coal gasification project to use indigenously developed gasification technology from which company?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
The Coal Ministry said the project will deploy gasification technology indigenously developed by BHEL.
On which date was the Reserve Bank of India established?
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Correct answer: A — 1 April 1935
The RBI says it was established on 1 April 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Consider the following statements about the Reserve Bank of India: 1. Its Central Office was initially established in Kolkata and moved permanently to Mumbai in 1937. 2. It has been fully owned by the Government of India since its nationalisation in 1949. 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 RBI's 'About Us' page.
The Reserve Bank of India was established in accordance with the provisions of which Act?
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Correct answer: B — Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
The RBI was established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Under the concessional customs duty notified on 1 April 2026, SEZ units can clear goods to the Domestic Tariff Area up to what limit?
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Correct answer: C — 30% of the highest annual FOB export value in the preceding three years
The cap is 30% of the highest annual free-on-board export value achieved in any of the three immediately preceding financial years.
What minimum value addition within the SEZ is required to avail the concessional duty on SEZ-to-DTA clearances?
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Correct answer: B — 20%
The notification prescribes a minimum 20% value addition within the SEZ.
Who assumed the appointment of Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth
The Ministry of Defence said Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumed the appointment of VCOAS on 1 April 2026.
Who took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, from Lt Gen RC Tiwari in April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Lt Gen VMB Krishnan
Lt Gen VMB Krishnan, previously Quarter Master General, took over Eastern Command from Lt Gen RC Tiwari.
Who assumed command of the Army's Southern Command on 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Lt Gen Sandeep Jain
Lt Gen Sandeep Jain succeeded Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth as GOC-in-C, Southern Command.
Which Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on 1 April 2026, designates Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
The Lok Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which confers legal status on Amaravati as the sole capital.
As per PRS Bill Track, on which date did the Rajya Sabha pass the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 2 April 2026
PRS records introduction and passage in the Lok Sabha on 1 April and passage by the Rajya Sabha on 2 April 2026.
Utkal Divas, celebrated on 1 April, marks the creation of Orissa (now Odisha) as a separate province on a linguistic basis in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 1936
New India Samachar notes that Orissa was created on a linguistic basis in 1936 and Utkal Divas has been celebrated on 1 April since.
In which year was the name of the state changed from Orissa to Odisha?
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Correct answer: D — 2011
New India Samachar states that the name was changed to Odisha in 2011.
What capital outlay for the Defence Services did the Ministry of Defence fully utilise in FY 2025-26 (Revised Estimates)?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1.86 lakh crore
The ministry fully utilised ₹1.86 lakh crore at the RE stage; ₹1.80 lakh crore was the original appropriation.
What was the overall utilisation of the defence budget, including MoD (civil) and pensions, in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — 99.62%
The ministry said overall utilisation stood at 99.62% against the final allocation.
Who assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chanchal Kumar
The ministry said Chanchal Kumar assumed charge on 1 April 2026, succeeding Sanjay Jaju.
Chanchal Kumar, the new Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, belongs to which IAS batch and cadre?
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Correct answer: C — 1992 batch, Bihar cadre
He is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre.
How much central assistance has been released to Haryana under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, as stated in Parliament on 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹113.60 crore
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said central assistance of ₹113.60 crore has been released to Haryana.
Where has the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying set up an IVF lab in Haryana for genetic upgradation of indigenous breeds?
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Correct answer: B — Hisar
The reply says one IVF lab has been established at Hisar, including for the Hariana breed of cattle.
Sree Siddaganga Math, where the President attended Sree Sivakumara Swamiji's birth anniversary celebrations on 1 April 2026, is located in:
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Correct answer: D — Tumakuru
The President's Secretariat said the celebrations were held at Sree Siddaganga Math, Tumakuru, Karnataka.
Which birth anniversary of Dr Sree Sree Sivakumara Mahaswamiji was celebrated on 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 119th
The President attended the 119th birthday celebrations of the Swamiji.
Up to which date has the RoSCTL scheme for apparel and made-ups exports been extended?
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Correct answer: D — 30 September 2026
The Ministry of Textiles extended RoSCTL up to 30 September 2026 or until approval for the 16th Finance Commission cycle, whichever is earlier.
Since when has the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme been operational?
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Correct answer: A — 7 March 2019
The ministry said RoSCTL has been operational since 7 March 2019.
In March 2026, the Prime Minister inaugurated the semiconductor plant of which Indian company at Sanand, Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Kaynes Technology
On 31 March 2026 the PM inaugurated the Kaynes Technology semiconductor plant at Sanand, Gujarat.
Which product does the Kaynes semiconductor facility at Sanand supply to a California-based company?
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Correct answer: A — Intelligent Power Modules
The facility supplies Intelligent Power Modules to a California-based company, with a large share of output booked for export.
In which year was the India Semiconductor Mission launched?
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Correct answer: C — 2021
The PM recalled that the India Semiconductor Mission was launched in 2021.
Consider the following statements about India's semiconductor push as stated on 31 March 2026: 1. Production at the Micron plant in Sanand started on 28 February 2026. 2. Under the India Semiconductor Mission, 10 projects worth over ₹1.6 lakh crore are under way across six states. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The PM said he was in Sanand on 28 February for the start of production at the Micron plant, and that 10 projects worth over ₹1,60,000 crore are under way in six states.
'Malwan', delivered to the Indian Navy on 31 March 2026, was built by which shipyard?
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Correct answer: D — Cochin Shipyard Limited
Malwan is the second of eight ASW Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
The anti-submarine craft 'Malwan' is named after a coastal town in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Maharashtra
Malwan draws its name from the historic coastal town of Malwan in Maharashtra.
How many Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) did the CBDT sign in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 219
The CBDT entered into a record 219 APAs in FY 2025-26 (174 in the previous year and 125 the year before).
With which of the following countries did India sign its first-ever bilateral APA in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — Sweden
FY 2025-26 saw India's first-ever bilateral APAs with France, Ireland, Indonesia and Sweden.
Consider the following statements about India's APA programme (as of March 2026): 1. The total number of APAs since inception is 1,034. 2. Bilateral APAs outnumber unilateral APAs in the total. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The total is 1,034 APAs, comprising 750 unilateral and 284 bilateral APAs, so unilateral APAs are more.
'Shachi', launched on 31 March 2026, is the first ship of which class of the Indian Navy?
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Correct answer: A — Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel
Shachi (Yard 1280) is the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs).
How many Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being built for the Indian Navy?
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Correct answer: D — Eleven
Shachi is the first of eleven NGOPVs, built concurrently at GSL Goa and GRSE Kolkata.
Consider the following statements about the NGOPV 'Shachi': 1. It was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata. 2. The NGOPV crest depicts the Ursa Major constellation and a lighthouse. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Shachi was launched at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa; the crest depicts Ursa Major and a red-and-white lighthouse.