Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
NMDC's first coal mine, inaugurated in January 2026, is Tokisud North in which state?
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Correct answer: B — Jharkhand
NMDC said its first coal mine, Tokisud North, is in Jharkhand.
Where is the third Tri-Services Future Warfare Course (2–25 February 2026) being held?
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Correct answer: D — Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
FWC-3 is being held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
From where did DRDO demonstrate Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
The SFDR demonstration was carried out from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
According to DRDO, SFDR technology mainly enables the development of which type of missile?
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Correct answer: D — Long-range air-to-air missiles
DRDO said SFDR enables developing long-range air-to-air missiles to give a tactical edge.
Which of the following was NOT listed among the SFDR subsystems that performed as expected on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Cryogenic upper stage
The listed subsystems were the nozzle-less booster, the SFDR motor and the fuel flow controller. A cryogenic stage is a rocket technology, not part of SFDR.
Consider the following about the SFDR demonstration of February 2026: 1. The system was first propelled to the desired Mach number by a ground booster motor. 2. Its performance was confirmed by tracking instruments deployed along the Arabian Sea coast. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ITR Chandipur's tracking instruments were deployed along the Bay of Bengal coast.
Where was the fourth India–Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting held on 2–3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Zanzibar
The 4th JDCC was held in Zanzibar; the 3rd had been held in Goa in November 2024.
At the 4th India–Tanzania JDCC, the two sides agreed to start cooperation between which services, complementing existing Navy and Army ties?
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Correct answer: B — Air Forces
Both sides agreed to initiate cooperation between their Air Forces, complementing the existing Navy and Army cooperation.
The MoU signed on 3 February 2026 relates to the establishment of which entity?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Container Shipping Line
The MoU was for establishing the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
The BCSL MoU aligns with which scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme
The Shipping Ministry said the MoU aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS).
Consider the following about the MoUs signed on 3 February 2026: 1. The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is a signatory to the BCSL MoU. 2. The Outer Harbour project being financed is at Kandla (Deendayal Port). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹15,000-crore Outer Harbour project is at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin.
What is the length of the bullet train project's second mountain tunnel (MT-6) in Palghar, whose breakthrough was announced on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 454 metres
MT-6 is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide.
According to the Railway Minister in February 2026, by when is the bullet train corridor expected to reach Mumbai?
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Correct answer: C — 2029
He said operations would extend to Thane by 2028 and the corridor would reach Mumbai by 2029.
Consider the following about the bullet train's MT-6 tunnel: 1. It was excavated from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. 2. It will carry only a single track, with a parallel tunnel for the other direction. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The 14.4-metre-wide MT-6 will accommodate both up and down tracks.
What is the capacity of the Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project in Bhutan, whose early commissioning India and Bhutan discussed on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1,200 MW
Punatsangchhu-I is 1,200 MW; Punatsangchhu-II is 1,020 MW.
Up to which year did India and Bhutan assess cross-border transmission links in their February 2026 talks?
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Correct answer: C — 2040
The two sides assessed cross-border transmission links till 2040.
Consider the following, as stated by the Power Ministry in February 2026: 1. India–Bhutan hydropower cooperation began in 1961. 2. India and Bhutan signed an agreement on hydroelectric power cooperation in 2006. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Power Ministry release.
The evidence-based guidelines released by the Health Minister on 3 February 2026 relate to which cancer?
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Correct answer: D — Lung cancer
J.P. Nadda released the 'Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines'.
How many evidence-based recommendations do the lung cancer guidelines released in February 2026 contain?
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Correct answer: C — 15
The guidelines contain 15 evidence-based recommendations on treatment and palliative care.
Consider the following about the lung cancer guidelines released in February 2026: 1. They were developed by the Department of Health Research and the Directorate General of Health Services with partner institutions. 2. They were released at Nirman Bhawan on World Cancer Day itself. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The guidelines were released at Kartavya Bhavan on 3 February 2026, the eve of World Cancer Day.
AIM SUMVAAD, held on 3 February 2026, is the flagship annual conclave of which ecosystem?
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Correct answer: D — National incubation ecosystem
AIM SUMVAAD is the Atal Innovation Mission's flagship annual conclave for the national incubation ecosystem.
Which port authority won the first prize at the Ports Ministry's Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025, presented on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Paradip Port Authority
Paradip Port Authority won the first prize; Chairman P.L. Haranadh received it.
What were SAIL's record cumulative sales for April–January FY 2025-26, announced on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 16.6 million tonnes
SAIL sold 16.6 MT in April–January FY26, up 16% from 14.3 MT a year earlier.
Consider the following about the 43rd Central Zoo Authority meeting (3 February 2026): 1. It directed completion of the second round of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of zoos. 2. It set up a sub-committee on CSR contributions for zoos. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Environment Ministry release.
Where was the first Regional Dialogue under NITI Aayog's State Support Mission held, before the third one in Agartala on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Dehradun
The first dialogue was in Dehradun on 2 June 2025 and the second in Pune on 25 September 2025.
Under which scheme are the six sports infrastructure projects whose foundation stones were laid on 3 February 2026 being implemented?
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Correct answer: A — Khelo India Scheme
The six projects, costing ₹82 crore, are under the Khelo India Scheme with SAI support.
From which swamp inside Kaziranga National Park did BSIP scientists extract the sediment core for their palaeoecological study (February 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — Sohola swamp
The sediment core was taken from the Sohola swamp inside Kaziranga National Park.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026 notified on 2 February 2026, what is the general duty-free allowance for a resident passenger?
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Correct answer: C — ₹75,000
Residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with a non-tourist visa get a ₹75,000 duty-free allowance.
What duty-free allowance do the Baggage Rules, 2026 give a tourist of foreign origin?
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Correct answer: D — ₹25,000
Tourists of foreign origin get ₹25,000; crew members get ₹2,500.
Under the weight-based jewellery allowance in the Baggage Rules, 2026, how much duty-free jewellery can an eligible female passenger bring?
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Correct answer: B — Up to 40 grams
Eligible female passengers may bring up to 40 g and others up to 20 g; the old value caps were removed.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, what is the transfer-of-residence cap for a person returning after more than two years abroad?
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Correct answer: C — ₹7.5 lakh
The caps are ₹1.5 lakh (up to 12 months), ₹3 lakh (1–2 years) and ₹7.5 lakh (above 2 years).
Consider the following about the Baggage Rules, 2026: 1. Duty-free import of one laptop by passengers above 18 years has been incorporated into the Rules. 2. Passengers arriving by land borders are entitled to the same ₹75,000 general allowance as air passengers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Passengers arriving by land borders do not get any general duty-free allowance.
Swagat Satirtha Portal 2.0, launched on 2 February 2026, is meant for what purpose?
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Correct answer: A — Mutual transfers of Grade III and IV state employees
The portal facilitates mutual transfers of Grade III and IV Assam government employees.
How many employees benefited from mutual transfers under version 1.0 of Assam's Swagat Satirtha portal?
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Correct answer: C — 9,004
Version 1.0 approved 4,502 applications, benefiting 9,004 employees across 32 departments.
Consider the following about Swagat Satirtha Portal 2.0: 1. Chief Minister Sarma said Assam is the only state to have institutionalised mutual transfers through a fully digital mechanism. 2. Employees who got a transfer in the first round can apply again with higher priority. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Earlier beneficiaries are barred; it is unsuccessful applicants from round one who get higher priority.
What was the theme of World Wetlands Day 2026, as marked by the Environment Ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
The 2026 theme was 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage'.
Where did the Environment Ministry hold its World Wetlands Day event on 2 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
The event was organised at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi.
Miniratna Category-I status, granted to Yantra India Limited in February 2026, allows its board to approve capital expenditure up to what amount without government approval?
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Correct answer: D — ₹500 crore
Miniratna Category-I status empowers the board to incur capex up to ₹500 crore without government approval.
Yantra India Limited was formed when the Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised on 1 October 2021 into how many new DPSUs?
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Correct answer: B — Seven
The Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised into seven new DPSUs on 1 October 2021.
Consider the following about Yantra India Limited: 1. It is a Schedule 'A' DPSU under the Department of Defence Production. 2. It was the first of the DPSUs carved out of the Ordnance Factory Board to receive Miniratna Category-I status. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Munitions India, Armoured Vehicles Nigam and India Optel received Miniratna-I status earlier, in May 2025.
What is the sampling frame for MoSPI's Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives, proposed to start in April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — National Cooperative Database
The survey's sampling frame is the National Cooperative Database, using the list of functional cooperatives from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Which post did Hari Shankar Verma take charge of on 2 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board
Verma, a 1987-batch IRTS officer, became Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board; he was earlier DG (Safety).
Which Union Minister chaired the second meeting of the committee to counter misleading publicity on processed foods on 2 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chirag Paswan
Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan chaired the meeting in New Delhi.
The National Forensic Sciences University, which signed an MoU with NHAI's IHMCL on 2 February 2026, is headquartered in which city?
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Correct answer: C — Gandhinagar
NFSU is an Institution of National Importance headquartered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The Government Hospital and Research Centre at Tuem, inaugurated on 2 February 2026, is a link facility of which medical college?
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Correct answer: B — Goa Medical College, Bambolim
The Tuem hospital has been declared a facility linked to Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
SAIL signed an MoU with RITES on 2 February 2026 mainly for what?
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Correct answer: A — Leasing and maintenance of diesel locomotives
The MoU covers diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance for SAIL's internal rail network at plants and mines.
BAANKNET, whose mobile app was launched on 2 February 2026, is a platform for what?
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Correct answer: C — Auction of bank assets such as properties
BAANKNET stands for Bank Assets Auction Network; its app gives nationwide access to verified bank-auction properties.
What reward do the winners of MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026 get?
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Correct answer: D — A chance to interact with the Prime Minister
The winners will get to interact with the Prime Minister.
How much was allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹7.85 lakh crore
The Ministry of Defence got a record ₹7.85 lakh crore.
What is the defence capital outlay in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.19 lakh crore
Capital expenditure got ₹2.19 lakh crore, up from ₹1.80 lakh crore in BE 2025-26; ₹1.39 lakh crore is for domestic industry.
The defence allocation in the Union Budget 2026-27 is what share of the estimated GDP for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 2%
The ₹7.85 lakh crore allocation is 2% of estimated GDP.
Consider the following about the defence budget for 2026-27: 1. It accounts for 14.67% of Central Government expenditure, the highest among ministries. 2. The allocation for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme was cut compared with BE 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ECHS got ₹12,100 crore, 45.49% higher than BE 2025-26.
From when does the new Income Tax Act, 2025 come into effect, as confirmed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Income Tax Act, 2025 comes into effect from 1 April 2026.
To what rate did the Union Budget 2026-27 cut TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes?
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Correct answer: C — 2%
TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes was cut to 2% from 5%.
The Union Budget 2026-27 raised the threshold for availing safe harbour for IT services from ₹300 crore to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,000 crore
The safe-harbour threshold for IT services was raised from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore, with a common 15.5% margin.
Consider the following direct tax proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. Interest awarded by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax. 2. The time for revising income tax returns is cut from 31 December to 30 September. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The time to revise returns was extended from 31 December to 31 March, with a nominal fee.
What outlay did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce for Biopharma SHAKTI?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Biopharma SHAKTI has an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years.
Which of the following states is NOT among those to be supported by the dedicated Rare Earth Corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — Jharkhand
The Rare Earth Corridors will support Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
To what amount did the Union Budget 2026-27 raise the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?
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Correct answer: B — ₹40,000 crore
The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay was increased to ₹40,000 crore.
Consider the following about Biopharma SHAKTI, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. It includes creating three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and upgrading seven existing ones. 2. It plans a network of over 1,000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.