Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
On 30 January 2026, Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, PM Modi attended a prayer meeting at which place in New Delhi, besides paying tributes at Rajghat?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhi Smriti
PIB: The PM paid tributes at Rajghat and attended a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti.
On which date is National Leprosy Day observed in India, as marked by the Health Ministry in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 30 January
PIB: The Central Leprosy Division observed National Leprosy Day on 30 January 2026 with an outreach at Dilli Haat.
Which team won the 72nd Women's Senior National Kabaddi Championship in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Haryana
Haryana beat defending champions Indian Railways 39-37 in the final at Hyderabad on 30 January 2026 (The Bridge, Khel Khiladis).
On 30 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi received a phone call from Delcy Rodríguez, Acting President of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Venezuela
PIB: Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
What was the theme of the National Commission for Women's 34th Foundation Day (30 January 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran
PIB: The programme was organised around the theme 'Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran'.
In January 2026 a ₹32-crore shore-based regional centre of CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography was inaugurated in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Visakhapatnam
PIB: Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the CSIR-NIO Shore-Based Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam on 30 January 2026.
The CSIR-NIO Visakhapatnam centre opened in January 2026 is expected to boost research on which continental margin for oil, gas and seabed minerals?
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Correct answer: B — Eastern Continental Margin
PIB: Eastern Continental Margin research at the centre is to strengthen India's self-reliance in oil, gas and seabed minerals.
A January 2026 study on a 'stealth' coronal mass ejection that caused an intense geomagnetic storm was carried out by researchers of which institute?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
PIB: The stealth CME was investigated by researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institution under DST; lead author P. Vemareddy.
The UMEED Central Portal, which got new Survey and Lease modules in January 2026, is meant for managing what?
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Correct answer: D — Waqf properties
PIB: UMEED is a centralised digital platform for uploading, verifying and monitoring Waqf properties.
When was the UMEED Central Portal originally inaugurated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju?
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Correct answer: B — 6 June 2025
PIB: The UMEED Central Portal was inaugurated by Kiren Rijiju on 6 June 2025; the two new modules came on 30 January 2026.
A photo-rechargeable supercapacitor that captures and stores solar energy in a single device (reported January 2026) was developed by which institute?
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Correct answer: B — Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru
PIB: The device was developed by CeNS, Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's real GDP growth for FY26 (First Advance Estimate) is estimated at:
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Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB: The Survey estimates FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% (GVA 7.3%).
What real GDP growth range does the Economic Survey 2025-26 project for FY27?
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Correct answer: B — 6.8–7.2%
PIB: Real GDP growth for FY27 is projected at 6.8–7.2%, with potential growth around 7%.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks fell to a multi-decade low of:
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Correct answer: A — 2.2%
PIB: Gross NPAs reached a multi-decadal low of 2.2% in September 2025.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. The share of private final consumption expenditure in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26. 2. Domestic inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: PFCE share in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26 and domestic inflation averaged 1.7% for April–December 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's foreign exchange reserves as of 16 January 2026 stood at about:
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Correct answer: B — USD 701.4 billion
PIB: Forex reserves rose to USD 701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports. (USD 825.3 billion = total exports in FY25.)
How many weighted items does the basket of the new CPI 2024 series have, as per the Expert Group report released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 358
PIB: The CPI 2024 item basket comprises 358 weighted items mapped to 12 divisions as per COICOP 2018.
Which survey provides the item weights for the new CPI 2024 series?
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Correct answer: D — Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24
PIB: The Expert Group recommended updating the CPI basket and weights using HCES 2023-24.
Under a January 2026 Bihar cabinet decision, women beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana can get additional assistance of up to:
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Correct answer: C — ₹2 lakh
The Hindu/TOI: The cabinet approved additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh, in phases, for women who earlier got ₹10,000.
Under the Bihar Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2026, what capex subsidy is offered?
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Correct answer: B — 30%, up to ₹50 crore
The Hindu/TOI: GCCs get a 30% capex subsidy, capped at ₹50 crore.
Under the Bihar Semiconductor Policy 2026, how is the state's capex support linked to the Centre's subsidy?
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Correct answer: B — State pays 60% of the Centre's 50% capex subsidy
The Hindu/TOI: The Centre gives 50% capex subsidy, and Bihar will pay 60% of that subsidy amount.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, what was India's rank in the Global Innovation Index 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 38th
PIB: India's GII rank improved from 66th in 2019 to 38th in 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, how many semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects had been approved, with cumulative investment of ₹1.60 lakh crore?
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Correct answer: C — 10
PIB: Ten semiconductor projects with ₹1.60 lakh crore investment have been approved in 6 states.
Which three Indian cities feature among the world's top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters, as noted in the Economic Survey 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai
PIB: Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai feature among the top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters worldwide.
In January 2026, which mineral was notified as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957?
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Correct answer: A — Coking coal
PIB (29 Jan 2026): The Government notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957.
India's coking coal resources, estimated at 37.37 billion tonnes, are largely located in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Jharkhand
PIB: Coking coal resources are largely in Jharkhand, with more in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the January 2026 notification on coking coal: 1. Coking coal was included in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, which lists critical and strategic minerals. 2. Royalty and auction premium from such mining leases will now go to the Central Government instead of the states. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Coking coal was added to Part D. Under Section 11D(3), royalty, auction premium and other payments continue to accrue to the State Governments.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's remittance inflows in FY25 were:
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Correct answer: C — USD 135.4 billion
PIB: India remains the world's largest recipient of remittances with inflows of USD 135.4 billion in FY25.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's total exports (merchandise and services) in FY25 reached a record of:
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Correct answer: C — USD 825.3 billion
PIB: Total exports reached a record USD 825.3 billion in FY25; services alone were USD 387.6 billion.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's share of global merchandise exports in 2024 was about:
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Correct answer: B — 1.8%
PIB: India's share of global merchandise exports nearly doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the number of airports in India increased from 74 in 2014 to how many in 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 164
PIB: The number of airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, international IIT campuses have been established in which two places?
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Correct answer: A — Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi
PIB: India has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS, alongside two international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. Power DISCOMs recorded a positive profit after tax for the first time in FY25. 2. Multidimensional poverty (NITI Aayog) declined to 11.28% in 2022-23. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: DISCOMs recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY25 for the first time, and MPI declined from 55.3% (2005-06) to 11.28% (2022-23).
In the second instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025-26 released on 29 January 2026, which of these states received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: D — Maharashtra
PIB: Maharashtra ₹714.32 crore, Andhra Pradesh ₹410.76 crore, Tripura ₹30.6 crore.
The 100-m steel bridge completed in January 2026 for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train passes over what?
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Correct answer: A — An underground metro tunnel between Kalupur and Shahpur stations
PIB: The alignment passes over the underground metro tunnel connecting Kalupur and Shahpur metro stations in Ahmedabad; it is the 13th of 17 steel bridges in Gujarat.
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence, announced in January 2026 with a ₹100-crore endowment, will be set up at which institute?
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Correct answer: D — IIM Ahmedabad
PIB: IIM Ahmedabad exchanged an MoU for the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI with a ₹100-crore endowment.
In January 2026 the National Biodiversity Authority disbursed ₹17 lakh to the Biodiversity Management Committee of BMC Mumbai under the ABS mechanism. The benefit came from commercial use of which biological resource?
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Correct answer: A — Bacillus soil micro-organisms
PIB: The disbursement stems from commercial utilisation of soil micro-organisms of the Bacillus genus for probiotic products.
Under a January 2026 MoU, Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd will set up a 150 TPD e-methanol plant at which port?
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Correct answer: A — Kandla (Deendayal Port)
PIB: APL signed an MoU with Deendayal Port Authority for a 150 TPD e-methanol plant at Kandla Port, Gujarat.
What is the approximate capital investment planned for APL's e-methanol project at Kandla (MoU of January 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — More than ₹1,200 crore
PIB: More than ₹1,200 crore will be invested; about 3,500 jobs are expected.
Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, waste must be segregated at source into four streams. Which of the following is NOT one of these four streams?
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Correct answer: A — Construction and demolition waste
PIB: the four streams are wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste.
Consider the following statements about the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: 1. They have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and supersede the SWM Rules, 2016. 2. An entity generating 100 kg or more of solid waste per day is a Bulk Waste Generator. 3. Environmental compensation will be levied by the Central Pollution Control Board directly. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB: notified under EP Act 1986, superseding 2016 rules; 100 kg/day is one Bulk Waste Generator threshold. CPCB prepares guidelines but SPCBs/PCCs levy the compensation, so statement 3 is wrong.
From which date will the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 come into full effect?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
PIB: the rules will come into full effect from April 1, 2026.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 in an air crash at which place?
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Correct answer: B — Baramati
PIB (Civil Aviation): the Learjet 45 VT-SSK met with an accident at Baramati while operating the Mumbai–Baramati sector.
Consider the following statements about the Baramati air crash of 28 January 2026: 1. The aircraft was a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. 2. Five persons, including two crew members, were on board. 3. Ajit Pawar had earlier been a Member of the 10th Lok Sabha from Baramati. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB: Learjet 45 VT-SSK of VSR Ventures with 5 persons on board including 2 crew; the Lok Sabha Speaker noted Pawar served in the 10th Lok Sabha from Baramati.
Wings India 2026, addressed by the Prime Minister on 28 January 2026, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Hyderabad
PIB (PMO): PM addressed the Wings India 2026 programme at Hyderabad in Telangana via video conferencing.
At Wings India 2026, the Prime Minister said the number of airports in India has risen from 70 in 2014 to more than how many today?
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Correct answer: C — 160
PIB (PMO): in 2014 India had 70 airports, while today the number has risen to more than 160.
India and the EU concluded negotiations on financial services in the India-EU FTA. According to the Finance Ministry, total India-EU services trade in 2024 was around:
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Correct answer: C — USD 83 billion
PIB (Finance): in 2024, total services trade between India and EU is around $83 billion.
Consider the following statements about the India-EU FTA financial services chapter: 1. It was finalised during the last round of negotiations held on 6 January 2026. 2. It contains provisions on digital payments and fintech. 3. In 2024 India imported more financial services from the EU than it exported to the EU. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB: finalised on 6 January 2026 with innovative provisions on digital payments and fintech. India exported USD 700 million and imported about USD 600 million, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Budget Session of Parliament that began on 28 January 2026 with the President's address is which session of the 18th Lok Sabha?
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Correct answer: C — 7th Session
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): 'On the first day of the 7th Session of the 18th Lok Sabha…' (28 January 2026).
In her address to Parliament at the start of the Budget Session on 28 January 2026, President Droupadi Murmu referred to the celebration of how many years of Vande Mataram?
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Correct answer: C — 150 years
PIB (President's Secretariat): "At present, India is celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram."
Consider the following statements about the Uttarakhand Green Hydrogen Policy, 2026: 1. It was approved by the state cabinet chaired by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on 28 January 2026. 2. It seeks to use the state's hydropower resources for green hydrogen production. 3. It is aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 2023. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
HT and NIE: cabinet chaired by CM Dhami approved it on Wednesday (28 Jan 2026) to leverage hydropower; NIE and TOI: aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 2023.
Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0, launched by NITI Aayog on 28 January 2026, will run until which date?
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Correct answer: B — 14 April 2026
PIB (NITI Aayog): a 3-month campaign running from 28 January to 14 April 2026.
Under Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0, how many Key Performance Indicators are to be saturated in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks respectively?
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Correct answer: B — 5 and 6
PIB (NITI Aayog): saturation of 5 KPIs in Aspirational Districts and 6 KPIs in Aspirational Blocks.
According to MoSPI's quick estimate, by how much did India's Index of Industrial Production grow in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 7.8%
PIB (MoSPI): IIP rose by 7.8% in December 2025, the highest level in over two years. 8.1% was manufacturing growth; 7.2% was November (revised).
In the December 2025 IIP, which manufacturing industry group recorded the highest growth (34.9%)?
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Correct answer: A — Computer, electronic and optical products
PIB (MoSPI): computer, electronic and optical products 34.9%; motor vehicles 33.5%; other transport equipment 25.1%.
The new Aadhaar App launched on 28 January 2026 allows management of how many Aadhaar profiles on a single device under the 'One Family – One App' concept?
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Correct answer: D — Five
PIB (MeitY): it allows management of up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single device.
Who dedicated the new Aadhaar App to the nation on 28 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Jitin Prasada
PIB (MeitY): Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics & IT Jitin Prasada dedicated the new Aadhaar App to the nation.