Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
From which date did select provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 come into force, as notified on 31 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 1 January 2026
PIB (Sports): the Central Government appointed 1 January 2026 as the date for select provisions; the Act itself was notified in the Gazette on 18 August 2025.
Consider the following statements about the National Sports Governance Act, 2025: 1. It was notified in the Official Gazette on 18 August 2025. 2. Its section 1(2) allows different dates to be appointed for different provisions. 3. The provisions brought into force from 1 January 2026 include the constitution of the National Sports Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Sports): the Act was gazetted on 18 August 2025; section 1(2) permits different dates for different provisions; and the provisions in force from 1 January 2026 include the constitution of the National Sports Board. All three are correct.
How many new Regional Directorates and Registrar of Companies offices will the Ministry of Corporate Affairs open from 16 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 3 RDs and 6 RoCs
PIB (MCA): MCA will open 3 Regional Directorates and 6 Registrar of Companies offices with effect from 16 February 2026.
Under which sub-scheme of the Export Promotion Mission is the Market Access Support intervention, launched on 31 December 2025, implemented?
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Correct answer: C — NIRYAT DISHA
PIB (Commerce): the MAS intervention is being implemented under the NIRYAT DISHA sub-scheme of the Export Promotion Mission.
What minimum share of MSME participation has been mandated for events supported under the Market Access Support intervention?
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Correct answer: A — 35 per cent
PIB (Commerce): a minimum participation of 35 per cent MSMEs has been mandated for supported events.
On which railway section did the Vande Bharat Sleeper train reach 180 kmph during its final CRS high-speed trial (December 2025)?
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Correct answer: B — Kota–Nagda
PIB (Railways): the final CRS high-speed trial was conducted on the Kota–Nagda section, where the train reached 180 kmph.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trial in December 2025 was conducted under the supervision of which authority?
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Correct answer: C — Commissioner of Railway Safety
PIB (Railways): the final high-speed trial was conducted under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).
Which company is providing ₹60 crore of CSR support for the High Performance Centre at SAI NSSC Bengaluru, whose foundation was laid in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
PIB (Sports): the ₹75 crore HPC will be developed with ₹60 crore in CSR support from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
What is the outlay of the PM E-DRIVE scheme, whose e-3W (L5) target was achieved in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,900 crore
PIB (Heavy Industries): PM E-DRIVE was notified on 29 September 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore.
What is the estimated EV penetration in the e-3W (L5) segment, as stated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries in December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — About 32%
PIB (Heavy Industries): EV penetration within the e-3W (L5) segment is now estimated at ~32%.
Which ministry releases the XV Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies after recommendation by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation?
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Correct answer: D — Ministry of Finance
PIB (Panchayati Raj): MoPR and DDWS recommend release of XV-FC grants to states for rural local bodies, which are then released by the Ministry of Finance.
The ₹224.58 crore XV Finance Commission grant released to Chhattisgarh in December 2025 is meant for how many eligible Gram Panchayats?
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Correct answer: C — 11,279
PIB (Panchayati Raj): the funds are for 11,279 eligible Gram Panchayats, 138 Block Panchayats and 26 District Panchayats.
Registrations for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 crossed which record figure by 30 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 3 crore
PIB (Education): registrations crossed a historic milestone of over 3 crore from students, parents and teachers as of 30 December 2025.
In his video-conference with MGNREGA functionaries on 30 December 2025 about the VB-G RAM G Act, Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with roughly how many functionaries?
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Correct answer: D — Over 2 lakh
PIB (Rural Development): more than 2 lakh MGNREGA functionaries joined from about 45,000 locations.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 replaces which law?
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Correct answer: B — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
PIB (assent release, 21 December 2025): the Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Consider the following statements about the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025: 1. It guarantees not less than 125 days of wage employment per rural household in each financial year. 2. States may notify a pause period aggregating sixty days in a financial year to free labour for peak sowing and harvesting. 3. Its cost is shared 75:25 between the Centre and all States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (assent release): Section 5(1) guarantees at least 125 days and Section 6 allows a 60-day aggregate pause. Cost-sharing is 60:40, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States and 100% central for UTs without legislatures, so statement 3 is wrong.
Under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, what is the Centre–State cost-sharing ratio for North Eastern and Himalayan States?
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Correct answer: C — 90:10
PIB (assent release): the cost-sharing pattern is 60:40 between Centre and States, 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States, and 100% central funding for UTs without legislatures.
Kavach, the indigenous automatic train protection system commissioned on Gujarat's Bajwa (Vadodara)–Ahmedabad section, is certified to which Safety Integrity Level?
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Correct answer: C — SIL-4
PIB (Railways): Kavach is certified to Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4), one of the highest safety standards in signalling.
Kavach 4.0's first commissioning in Gujarat, announced on 30 December 2025, was on which section?
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Correct answer: B — Bajwa (Vadodara)–Ahmedabad
PIB (Railways): Kavach 4.0 was commissioned on Gujarat's first section, the 96-km Bajwa (Vadodara)–Ahmedabad stretch.
Bhagirathpura, where a contaminated-water outbreak was reported in December 2025, is a locality in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Indore
The Hindu, The Indian Express and ETV Bharat: the outbreak was in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the Madhya Pradesh government's response to the Bhagirathpura (Indore) water contamination: 1. The Chief Minister announced ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased. 2. The state said it would bear the full cost of the patients' treatment. 3. The probe committee is headed by a retired High Court judge. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu, The Indian Express and ETV Bharat: CM Mohan Yadav announced ₹2 lakh per bereaved family and free treatment. The three-member probe committee is headed by an IAS officer, not a judge.
According to the Indore Municipal Commissioner, what was the likely source of contamination in Bhagirathpura's drinking water in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — A leak in the main supply line at a point where a toilet had been built over it
The Hindu and ETV Bharat: the municipal commissioner said a leakage was found in the main water supply line in Bhagirathpura at a point over which a toilet had been constructed.
Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) began lending at its 51st Board Meeting on 30 December 2025 by sanctioning loans of about:
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Correct answer: C — ₹4,300 crore
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): SMFCL approved loan sanctions of about ₹4,300 crore at its 51st Board Meeting on 30 December 2025. ₹8,000 crore is its FY26 lending target and ₹25,000 crore its borrowing limit.
Consider the following statements about Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL): 1. SMFCL is India's first maritime-focused Non-Banking Financial Company. 2. SMFCL is targeting a loan book of ₹8,000 crore in 2025-26. 3. The largest share of its first tranche of sanctions went to Goa Shipyard. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB: SMFCL is India's first maritime-focused NBFC and targets an ₹8,000 crore loan book in FY26. About ₹4,000 crore of the ₹4,300 crore went to a greenfield port project; Goa Shipyard got ₹110 crore, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Sivagiri Mutt, where the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage was inaugurated on 30 December 2025, is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Varkala
PIB (Vice President's Secretariat): the Vice-President inaugurated the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala, Kerala.
The message 'One caste, one religion, one God for humankind', recalled by the Vice-President at the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage, is associated with:
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Correct answer: A — Sree Narayana Guru
PIB: the Vice-President said Sree Narayana Guru answered caste injustice with the words 'One caste, one religion, one God for humankind'.
Where was the valedictory function of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 held on 30 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Rameswaram
PIB (Vice President's Secretariat): the Vice-President addressed the valedictory function of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 at Rameswaram.
At the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 valedictory, the Vice-President said the initiative reflects the vision of which poet of a united, integrated India?
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Correct answer: B — Subramania Bharati
PIB: quoting Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, the Vice-President said the Sangamam reflects the poet's vision of a united, integrated and confident India.
The 48 heavyweight torpedoes contracted on 30 December 2025 for the Indian Navy's Kalvari-class submarines will be supplied by a firm from which country?
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Correct answer: B — Italy
PIB (Defence): the torpedo contract was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy.
Consider the following statements about the defence contracts signed on 30 December 2025: 1. The Close Quarter Battle carbines are for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. 2. The heavyweight torpedoes are for the Kalvari-class (P-75) submarines. 3. Delivery of the torpedoes will begin from April 2028. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 2 and 3 only
PIB (Defence): the carbines are for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy, not the Air Force. The torpedoes are for the six Kalvari-class (P-75) submarines, with deliveries from April 2028 to early 2030.
Under PM-YUVA 3.0, whose results were declared on 30 December 2025, each selected young author receives a monthly scholarship of:
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Correct answer: A — ₹50,000
PIB (Education): each selected author gets a scholarship of ₹50,000 per month during six months of mentorship, plus a 10% lifetime royalty.
Consider the following statements about PM-YUVA 3.0: 1. It selected book proposals from authors below 30 years of age. 2. It is implemented by the Sahitya Akademi under the Ministry of Culture. 3. Selected authors get a lifetime royalty of 10% on their published books. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Education): authors are below 30 and receive a 10% lifetime royalty. The scheme is implemented by the National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education, not the Sahitya Akademi.
What is 'Jal Seva Aankalan', launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on 30 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — A Gram Panchayat-led digital self-assessment of drinking water service functionality in Har Ghar Jal villages
PIB (Jal Shakti): Jal Seva Aankalan is a Gram Panchayat-led digital drinking water service functionality assessment tool on the JJM portal for Har Ghar Jal villages.
Jal Seva Aankalan was launched on the portal of which mission?
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Correct answer: C — Jal Jeevan Mission
PIB: the tool was e-launched on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) portal by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Arjun Erigaisi settled for bronze at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025 in Doha after losing the semifinal to:
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Correct answer: A — Nodirbek Abdusattorov
The Hindu and Sportstar: Erigaisi lost the semifinal 2.5–0.5 to Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Carlsen beat Caruana in the other semifinal and won the title.
Consider the following statements about Arjun Erigaisi at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 in Doha: 1. Erigaisi topped the Open Swiss stage of the World Blitz Championship. 2. Erigaisi also won bronze at the World Rapid Championship the same week. 3. Erigaisi is the first Indian ever to win medals at both the world rapid and blitz championships. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Sportstar and ESPN: Erigaisi topped the Swiss stage and also won rapid bronze. Viswanathan Anand did the rapid–blitz double in 2017, so Erigaisi is the first since Anand, not the first ever.
NFAP-2025, effective 30 December 2025, identifies which frequency band for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) to expand mid-band spectrum for 5G and 6G?
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Correct answer: D — 6425–7125 MHz
PIB (DoT): NFAP-2025 identifies the 6425–7125 MHz band for IMT, significantly enhancing mid-band availability for 5G, 5G Advanced and future 6G.
The National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025, which governs radio-frequency spectrum allocation in India, was released by:
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Correct answer: A — Department of Telecommunications
PIB: NFAP-2025 was released by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
At the Kartik Jatra in Gumla on 30 December 2025, President Murmu said which leader 'strengthened tribal consciousness and identity in accordance with the ideals of Bhagwan Birsa Munda'?
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Correct answer: A — Kartik Oraon
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President said Pankhraj Saheb Kartik Oraon strengthened tribal consciousness and identity in accordance with Birsa Munda's ideals.
Gumla, where President Murmu addressed the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh – Kartik Jatra in December 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Jharkhand
PIB: the Kartik Jatra was held at Gumla, Jharkhand.
India Post's discontinuation of outward small packet and surface letter mail services from 1 January 2026 is in line with decisions of which international body?
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Correct answer: D — Universal Postal Union
PIB (Communications): the Department of Posts said the rationalisation follows global best practices and decisions taken by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
What is the motto of the National Cadet Corps, recalled at the start of the Republic Day Camp 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Unity and Discipline
PIB (Defence): the Republic Day Camp upholds the NCC motto 'Unity and Discipline'.
How many cadets are taking part in the NCC Republic Day Camp 2026, the highest so far?
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Correct answer: B — 2,406
PIB: 2,406 cadets including 898 girl cadets from 28 states and 8 UTs are participating, the highest to date.
INSV Kaundinya set out on her maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar on 29 December 2025 to which destination?
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Correct answer: A — Muscat
PIB (Defence): INSV Kaundinya sailed from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on 29 December 2025.
What makes INSV Kaundinya, which began her maiden voyage in December 2025, distinctive?
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Correct answer: C — It was built using the ancient stitched shipbuilding technique
PIB (Defence and PMO): INSV Kaundinya was constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques with natural materials dating back several centuries.
Consider the following statements about INSV Kaundinya's maiden voyage: 1. The vessel was flagged off by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. 2. The voyage retraces ancient routes linking India's west coast with Oman. 3. The vessel has a steel hull built with modern welding to meet blue-water safety norms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, flagged off the vessel, and the voyage retraces ancient routes between India's west coast and Oman. The ship is built with traditional stitched techniques and natural materials, not a welded steel hull.
In its maiden flight test on 29 December 2025, the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket was tested for its maximum range of:
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Correct answer: D — 120 km
PIB (Defence): LRGR 120 was tested for its maximum range of 120 km at ITR Chandipur, demonstrating all planned in-flight manoeuvres.
Consider the following statements about the Pinaka LRGR 120 test of 29 December 2025: 1. The rocket was designed by ARDE in association with HEMRL. 2. A new dedicated launcher had to be developed to fire the rocket. 3. The test was carried out at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Defence): ARDE designed the rocket with HEMRL and the test was at ITR Chandipur. It was fired from the in-service Pinaka launcher, not a new one, so statement 2 is wrong.
The National Technology Readiness Assessment Framework (NTRAF), unveiled on 29 December 2025, assesses projects across how many Technology Readiness Levels?
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Correct answer: B — 9
PIB (Office of PSA): NTRAF assesses projects across 9 TRLs, from proof of concept (TRL 1-3) to prototype (TRL 4-6) and operational deployment (TRL 7-9).
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser developed NTRAF in collaboration with which industry body?
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Correct answer: D — Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
PIB (Office of PSA): NTRAF was developed in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
According to the quick estimate released on 29 December 2025, India's Index of Industrial Production grew by how much in November 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 6.7%
PIB (MoSPI): IIP grew 6.7% in November 2025. 0.4% was October's growth, 8.0% manufacturing and 5.4% mining.
Which IIP sector recorded a contraction in November 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Electricity
PIB (MoSPI): growth rates for November 2025 were Mining 5.4%, Manufacturing 8.0% and Electricity (−)1.5%.
Consider the following statements about the Index of Industrial Production (IIP): 1. The current IIP series uses 2011-12 as its base year. 2. The quick estimate of IIP is released on the 28th of every month, or the next working day if the 28th is a holiday. 3. In November 2025, electricity was the fastest-growing IIP sector. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): the IIP base is 2011-12=100 and quick estimates come out on the 28th of every month (or the next working day). In November 2025 electricity contracted 1.5% while manufacturing grew fastest at 8.0%.
The Ol Chiki script, whose centenary President Murmu celebrated at Jamshedpur on 29 December 2025, was created by:
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Correct answer: B — Pandit Raghunath Murmu
PIB (President's Secretariat): Pandit Raghunath Murmu created the Ol Chiki script in 1925.
Consider the following statements about the Ol Chiki script: 1. It was created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santhali language. 2. The Constitution of India in Santhali, written in Ol Chiki, was released on 25 December 2025. 3. Before Ol Chiki, Santhali was written only in the Devanagari script. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (President's Secretariat): Ol Chiki was created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, and the Santhali Constitution in Ol Chiki was released on 25 December 2025. Earlier, Roman, Devanagari, Odia and Bengali scripts were all used, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Defence Acquisition Council meeting of 29 December 2025 accorded Acceptance of Necessity to proposals worth about:
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Correct answer: B — ₹79,000 crore
PIB (Defence): the DAC chaired by Rajnath Singh accorded AoN for proposals of the three Services amounting to about ₹79,000 crore.
For which Service did the DAC approve the leasing of High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems on 29 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Navy
PIB (Defence): AoN was accorded to the Indian Navy for leasing HALE RPAS to ensure continuous ISR and maritime domain awareness over the Indian Ocean Region.
Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev whose redevelopment was inaugurated on 29 December 2025, is in which district of Assam?
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Correct answer: D — Nagaon
PIB (Home Affairs): Batadrava Than, birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, is in Nagaon district of Assam.
Srimanta Sankardev, whose birthplace Batadrava Than was redeveloped, founded which religious tradition?
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Correct answer: A — Eka Sarana Nama Dharma (Neo-Vaishnavism)
PIB (Home Affairs): Srimanta Sankardev established the Neo-Vaishnavite faith, the 'Eka Sarana Nama Dharma' tradition, and spread it across the Northeast.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is anchored in which three guiding 'Sutras'?
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Correct answer: A — People, Planet and Progress
PIB (MeitY): the Summit is anchored in three guiding Sutras: People, Planet and Progress.
The three Sutras of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 are operationalised through how many thematic 'Chakras' (working groups)?
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Correct answer: B — Seven
PIB (MeitY): the Sutras are operationalised through seven thematic Chakras, or working groups.