Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What were India's estimated total exports (merchandise and services) for April–December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — US$634.26 billion
PIB (Commerce): total exports for April–December 2025 are estimated at US$634.26 billion, against US$607.93 billion in April–December 2024. US$330.29 billion is merchandise alone.
By how much did India's merchandise exports grow in April–December 2025 compared with April–December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 2.44%
PIB (Commerce): merchandise exports grew 2.44% to US$330.29 billion. 4.33% is total exports and 5.51% is non-petroleum exports.
Which merchandise export category grew by 16.78% in December 2025, to US$4.17 billion?
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Correct answer: C — Electronic goods
PIB (Commerce): electronic goods exports rose 16.78% from US$3.57 billion in December 2024 to US$4.17 billion in December 2025.
How many Gram Panchayats in Sikkim are to benefit from the first instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025-26, released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 199
PIB (Panchayati Raj): the funds are for 5 eligible District Panchayats and all 199 eligible Gram Panchayats.
What amount was released as the first instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025-26 to Sikkim's rural local bodies?
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Correct answer: D — ₹643.50 lakh
PIB (Panchayati Raj): ₹643.50 lakh was released as the first instalment; ₹17.50 lakh was a separate withheld 2024-25 portion.
The Export Preparedness Index 2024, released in January 2026, is which edition of the index?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth
PIB (NITI Aayog): the first edition of the EPI was published in August 2020 and EPI 2024 is the 4th edition.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars of the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Research & Innovation
PIB (NITI Aayog): the four pillars are Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance and Export Performance.
Which of the following was NOT listed among the leading performers in the 'Large States' category of the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Karnataka
PIB (NITI Aayog): the leading large states were Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka was not in the list.
From which Indian port did INSV Kaundinya begin the maiden voyage that ended in Muscat in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Porbandar
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): INSV Kaundinya arrived in Muscat after completing its maiden voyage from Porbandar.
The design of INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century CE vessel depicted in which artwork?
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Correct answer: A — Ajanta Cave paintings
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century CE vessel depicted in the Ajanta Cave paintings.
INSV Kaundinya's arrival in Muscat came as India and Oman commemorate how many years of diplomatic relations?
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Correct answer: C — 70 years
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): both countries are commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations.
Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, launched by the Department of Financial Services in January 2026, is available exclusively to which group?
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Correct answer: B — CGHS beneficiaries
PIB (Finance): the policy is exclusively available to CGHS beneficiaries, with up to six members per policy.
Under Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima, up to what share of the sum insured is covered for AYUSH in-patient treatment?
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Correct answer: D — 100%
PIB (Finance): AYUSH treatments are covered up to 100% of the sum insured; modern treatment is covered up to 25%.
Which edition of Defence Forces Veterans' Day was observed on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
PIB (Defence): the 10th Defence Forces Veterans' Day was observed on 14 January 2026.
On Veterans' Day 2026, the Raksha Mantri paid tribute to IPKF veterans of which operation, conducted in Sri Lanka 40 years ago?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Pawan
PIB (Defence): the RM paid tribute to ex-servicemen who were part of the IPKF during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka 40 years ago.
Who presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu as Ambassador of the United States on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Sergio Gor
PIB (President's Secretariat): Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the United States of America, presented his credentials on 14 January 2026.
Envoys of which three countries presented credentials to the President of India on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — USA, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago
PIB (President's Secretariat): the envoys were from Trinidad and Tobago, Austria and the United States of America.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 0.83%
PIB (Commerce): WPI inflation was 0.83% (provisional) in December 2025. −0.32% was November; 1.82% is manufactured products.
Which major group carries the highest weight (64.23%) in India's Wholesale Price Index (base 2011-12)?
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Correct answer: C — Manufactured Products
PIB (Commerce): Manufactured Products have a weight of 64.23%, Primary Articles 22.62% and Fuel & Power 13.15%.
Under the Aravalli Green Wall Project, how much degraded land in the Aravalli region has been identified, as stated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 6.45 million hectares
PIB (Environment): 6.45 million hectares has been identified, with greening started on 2.7 million hectares. 26 million hectares is India's overall UNCCD target.
India's commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land, linked to the Aravalli Green Wall Project, is made under which international convention?
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Correct answer: C — UNCCD
PIB (Environment): the project is part of India's commitment under the UNCCD to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land.
About 97 sq km of degraded Aravalli revenue land declared a Protected Forest, as noted in January 2026, stretches from Naurangpur to which place?
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Correct answer: A — Nuh
PIB (Environment): around 97 sq km of Aravalli revenue land from Naurangpur to Nuh in Haryana has been declared a Protected Forest.
Where was the 'Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre for Ganga and Other Rivers' inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
PIB (Jal Shakti): the centre was inaugurated at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
Which rescue vehicle did the Jal Shakti Minister launch under the Namami Gange Mission at WII Dehradun on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dolphin Rescue Ambulance
PIB (Jal Shakti): a Dolphin Rescue Ambulance was launched along with the monitoring centre and conservation projects.
In January 2026, the Kerala Cabinet fixed what annual family income ceiling for applicants under the Chief Minister's Connect to Work scheme?
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Correct answer: C — ₹5 lakh
The Hindu and Mathrubhumi: the revised guidelines approved on 14 January 2026 fix the annual family income ceiling at ₹5 lakh.
Consider the following statements about Kerala's Chief Minister's Connect to Work scheme, as revised in January 2026: 1. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 years. 2. It provides ₹1,000 a month for 12 months. 3. It is open only to candidates preparing for the Kerala PSC examinations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu and Mathrubhumi: statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: youth in skill training and those preparing for UPSC, PSC, bank, railway and other recruitment exams can apply.
On which National Highway corridors is NHAI's real-time stray cattle safety alert pilot (January 2026) being implemented?
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Correct answer: B — Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari
PIB (Road Transport): the pilot is being implemented on the Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari NH corridors.
Under NHAI's stray cattle alert pilot, approximately how far ahead of a high-risk stretch is the warning triggered?
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Correct answer: C — 10 km
PIB (Road Transport): location-based alerts give advance warning approximately 10 km before identified high-risk stretches.
Who co-chaired the 22nd ICG–JCG High-Level Meeting in January 2026 on behalf of the Japan Coast Guard?
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Correct answer: A — Admiral Yoshio Saguchi
PIB (Defence): the meeting was co-chaired by ICG DG Paramesh Sivamani and Admiral Yoshio Saguchi, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard.
Which multilateral forum's Presidency does India currently hold, as noted at the 22nd ICG–JCG meeting?
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Correct answer: D — Coast Guard Global Summit
PIB (Defence): India's current Presidency of the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) and its upcoming hosting of the 5th CGGS featured in the talks.
How many labour laws have been codified into the four Labour Codes, as noted at the Jaipur regional conference in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 29
PIB (Labour): the MoS highlighted the codification of 29 labour laws into four Labour Codes.
The regional conference on Labour Code implementation held in Jaipur in January 2026 was which in the Labour Ministry's planned series of five?
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Correct answer: B — Second
PIB (Labour): the Jaipur conference was the second in a series of five regional conferences.
What record number of interchange trains did the Dedicated Freight Corridor network handle in a single day in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 892
PIB (Railways): 892 interchange trains were handled on 5 January 2026; the previous record was 865 on 4 January 2026.
What is the minimum initial and annual contribution under NPS Vatsalya, as per the guidelines issued in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹250
PIB (Finance): the minimum initial and annual contribution is ₹250, with no maximum limit.
Consider the following statements about NPS Vatsalya: 1. It is open to NRIs and OCIs below 18 years of age. 2. Partial withdrawal is allowed after three years, up to 25% of own contributions. 3. There is a maximum annual contribution limit of ₹1.5 lakh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Finance): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: there is no maximum limit on contribution.
On which date was NPS Vatsalya launched by the Union Finance Minister?
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Correct answer: C — 18 September 2024
PIB (Finance): NPS Vatsalya was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 and launched on 18 September 2024.
Where is the BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility of the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, whose foundation was laid in January 2026, being built?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhinagar
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the facility in Gandhinagar.
According to Amit Shah, the Gandhinagar BSL-4 lab will be India's second such high-level laboratory after which institution?
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Correct answer: A — National Institute of Virology, Pune
PIB (Home Affairs): after the National Institute of Virology in Pune, this will be India's second high-level laboratory, and the first built by a state government.
What is the cost of the BSL-4 Bio-Containment Facility being built at GBRC, Gandhinagar?
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Correct answer: D — ₹362 crore
PIB (Home Affairs): the complex is being built at a cost of ₹362 crore over 11,000 square metres.
In which year was PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2015
PIB Backgrounder: PRAGATI was launched in 2015 under PM Narendra Modi.
According to the PIB backgrounder of January 2026, projects worth more than how much have been fast-tracked through PRAGATI?
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Correct answer: C — ₹85 lakh crore
PIB Backgrounder: PRAGATI has fast-tracked projects worth more than ₹85 lakh crore.
Who chairs the PFRDA committee constituted in January 2026 to develop a framework for assured payouts under NPS?
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Correct answer: A — Dr M.S. Sahoo
PIB (Finance): the committee is chaired by Dr M.S. Sahoo, former Chairperson of the IBBI.
How many members are on the PFRDA committee on assured payouts under NPS, constituted in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 15
PIB (Finance): it is a 15-member panel of experts.
Which framework has traditionally been used to compile India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?
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Correct answer: D — Fixed-base Laspeyres framework
PIB (MoSPI): the IIP has traditionally been compiled using a fixed-base Laspeyres framework.
What is the main advantage of the chain-based IIP proposed in MoSPI's Discussion Paper 2.0 (January 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — It updates weights annually to reflect the current production structure
PIB (MoSPI): the chain-based method allows weights to change annually, correctly reflecting a more recent production structure.
Who led the Task Force on a Unified Framework for Development of the Coaching Ecosystem in India, which submitted its report in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Pullela Gopichand
PIB (Sports): the task force was led by Indian badminton national head coach Pullela Gopichand.
Which apex body did the Gopichand-led task force recommend for coach education, accreditation and governance?
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Correct answer: D — National Coach Accreditation Board
PIB (Sports): the task force called for a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) as the apex national body.
In the Tiered National Coaching Pathway proposed by the Gopichand-led task force, what is the universal entry stage?
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Correct answer: A — Level 0
PIB (Sports): the pathway has Grassroots, Intermediate, Elite and National Team Coach levels, with Level 0 as the universal entry stage.
Which country co-chairs the 16th ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with India?
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Correct answer: C — Malaysia
PIB (Defence): India and Malaysia co-chair the 16th EWG on CT.
Under the current ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism cycle, which country will hold the Field Training Exercise in 2027?
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Correct answer: D — India
PIB (Defence): Malaysia will host the Table Top Exercise in 2026 and India will hold the Field Training Exercise in 2027.
How many dialogue partners of ASEAN take part in the ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism meeting held in New Delhi in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Seven
PIB (Defence): seven dialogue partners — Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, USA and Russia — participate along with 11 ASEAN members.
In January 2026, DRI seized a record 270 kg of mephedrone concealed in a consignment of what?
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Correct answer: D — Chicken feed
PIB (Finance): the mephedrone was concealed in a consignment of chicken feed used as cover cargo.
In which state did DRI intercept the truck carrying 270 kg of mephedrone in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Rajasthan
PIB (Finance): DRI officers intercepted the truck in Rajasthan; follow-up searches were in Haryana.
How many Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals had Indian Railways approved, as per the PIB backgrounder of January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 306
PIB Backgrounder: 306 GCTs have been approved, with a combined capacity of 192 MTPA; 118 are commissioned.
According to the PIB backgrounder on Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (January 2026), India's logistics costs have been reduced to what share of GDP?
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Correct answer: B — 7.97%
PIB Backgrounder: logistics costs have been reduced to 7.97% of GDP.
In TRAI's Independent Drive Test across Mumbai (November 2025), which operator recorded a call setup success rate of only 28.52%?
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Correct answer: B — MTNL
PIB (Communications): MTNL had a 28.52% call setup success rate, against 99.62% (Airtel), 99.81% (RJIL) and 96.07% (VIL).
Which TRAI regional office supervised the Independent Drive Test in Mumbai whose results were released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bengaluru
PIB (Communications): the drive tests were conducted under the supervision of the TRAI Regional Office, Bengaluru.
The skilling initiative 'Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan', concluded in January 2026, was developed by the I&B Ministry and the Office of the PSA in collaboration with which fund?
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Correct answer: B — Netflix Fund for Creative Equity
PIB (I&B): the initiative was developed in collaboration with the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
Which agency busted a clandestine MD manufacturing lab at Village Amla Agar, seizing 31.250 kg of MD powder, in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Central Bureau of Narcotics
PIB (Finance): officers of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Madhya Pradesh Unit, carried out the operation.
In which city did PM Narendra Modi hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ahmedabad
PIB (PMO): PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad, and the two held restricted and delegation-level talks there on 12 January 2026.
Consider the following statements about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India in January 2026: 1. It was his first visit to Asia as Federal Chancellor. 2. 2026 marks 75 years of India–Germany diplomatic relations. 3. The visit followed the 7th India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations held in Berlin. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO Joint Statement): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the 7th IGC was held in New Delhi on 25 October 2024.
Which travel facility for Indian passport holders was announced during German Chancellor Merz's visit to India in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Visa-free transit through Germany
PIB (PMO List of Outcomes): the announcements included visa-free transit for Indian passport holders transiting through Germany.
Where did DRDO flight-test the MPATGM with top-attack capability against a moving target on 11 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra
PIB (Defence): the test was conducted at KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra by DRDL, Hyderabad.
Which DRDO laboratory carried out the January 2026 flight test of the MPATGM?
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Correct answer: A — Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad
PIB (Defence): the test was carried out by DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; RCI Hyderabad and DL Jodhpur were among contributing labs.
Consider the following statements about the MPATGM tested in January 2026: 1. It uses an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker. 2. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are its development-cum-production partners. 3. It can be launched only from a military vehicle. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: it can be launched from a tripod or a military vehicle launcher.
During which stage did the anomaly occur that caused the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission to fail on 12 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Third stage (PS3)
ISRO and NSIL: the first two stages performed nominally, but an anomaly near the end of the PS3 (third) stage meant the satellites could not be placed in orbit.
PSLV-C62, launched on 12 January 2026, was which flight of the PSLV?
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Correct answer: C — 64th
ISRO: the PSLV-C62 mission was the 64th flight of PSLV, using the PSLV-DL variant with two solid strap-on motors.
The PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission was the ninth dedicated commercial mission of which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — NewSpace India Limited
ISRO: PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 was the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
Consider the following statements about the PSLV-C62 mission (January 2026): 1. It carried the EOS-N1 satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites. 2. Telemetry was received from the KID re-entry capsule of a Spanish start-up. 3. It was the first failure of a PSLV since 2017. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
ISRO and NSIL confirm statements 1 and 2. Statement 3 is wrong: the previous PSLV mission, PSLV-C61 in May 2025, had also failed (Rediff, Times of India).