Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which new category has been introduced for the first time in the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Digital content creators and influencers
PIB: for the first time, NECA 2025 introduces a special category for Digital Content Creators and Influencers, aligned with Mission LiFE.
Ravi Naik, whose death was condoled by the PM and the Home Minister on 15 October 2025, held which positions?
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Correct answer: B — Agriculture Minister of Goa and former Chief Minister of Goa
PIB: Amit Shah condoled the passing of Ravi Naik, Agriculture Minister of Goa and former Chief Minister; PM Modi called him a Minister in the Goa Government.
The Ministry of Defence's ₹659.47 crore contract of October 2025 for night sights for the Army's 7.62 x 51 mm assault rifles was signed with which consortium?
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Correct answer: B — MKU Ltd and Medbit Technologies
PIB: the contract was signed with the consortium of M/s MKU Ltd (Lead Member) and M/s Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd on 15 October 2025.
Consider the following statements about the night sights contracted for the Army's 7.62 x 51 mm assault rifles in October 2025: 1. They can engage targets up to an effective range of 500 metres even under starlit conditions. 2. The procurement is classified under the Buy (Global) category. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: the sights have an effective range of 500 m even under starlit conditions; the procurement is a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case with more than 51% indigenous content.
In October 2025 Google announced its first AI Hub in India, with an investment of about US$ 15 billion, in which city?
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Correct answer: C — Visakhapatnam
PIB: Google announced the establishment of an AI Hub in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of approximately USD 15 billion over five years.
Google's Visakhapatnam AI Hub investment of about US$ 15 billion is spread over which period?
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Correct answer: A — 2026–2030
PIB: the investment of approximately USD 15 billion is over five years (2026–2030).
Consider the following statements about the Google AI Hub announced in October 2025: 1. It includes a new international subsea gateway with multiple cables landing at Visakhapatnam. 2. The data centre campus is being developed with partners including AdaniConnex and Airtel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the investment includes a new international subsea gateway with multiple international subsea cables landing in Visakhapatnam, and the campus is developed with partners including AdaniConnex and Airtel.
The relics of which two disciples of the Buddha did India announce in October 2025 would be sent to Mongolia next year?
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Correct answer: A — Sariputra and Maudgalyayana
PIB (PM's statement): the holy relics of two great disciples of Lord Buddha, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, will be sent from India to Mongolia next year.
During the Mongolian President's October 2025 visit, an MoU was signed between Mongolia's Arkhangai Province and which Indian body?
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Correct answer: D — Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council
PIB (PM's statement): the MoU signed between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia's Arkhangai Province will boost cultural ties.
Consider the following statements about India–Mongolia relations as described in October 2025: 1. The Mongolian oil refinery project is supported by an Indian line of credit of US$ 1.7 billion and is India's largest development partnership project globally. 2. The India–Mongolia Strategic Partnership was established in 2005, marking 20 years in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: the refinery, supported by India's US$ 1.7 billion line of credit, is India's largest development partnership project globally; the 2025 visit marked 10 years of the Strategic Partnership, elevated during Modi's visit ten years ago.
Before the Ministry of Mines' October 2025 notification, which use of limestone made it a minor mineral?
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Correct answer: B — Limestone used in kilns for manufacture of lime used as building material
PIB: 'Limestone used in kilns for manufacture of lime used as building material' had been notified as a minor mineral; the 10 October 2025 notification deleted it from the minor minerals category.
Consider the following statements about the reclassification of limestone in October 2025: 1. It followed recommendations of an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Mines. 2. Existing minor-mineral limestone lessees have until 31 March 2026 to register with the Indian Bureau of Mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. PIB: the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Mines & Minerals Sector was chaired by a Member of NITI Aayog, not the Mines Secretary; existing minor-mineral lessees are allowed till 31 March 2026 to register with IBM.
Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), invoked across NCR on 14 October 2025, corresponds to which AQI category?
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Correct answer: D — 'Poor' (201–300)
PIB (CAQM): with Delhi's AQI in the 'Poor' category (201–300), the Sub-Committee invoked all actions under Stage-I ('Poor' Air Quality) of GRAP.
Which body's sub-committee invoked GRAP Stage-I across the NCR in October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
PIB: the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP met and decided to invoke all actions under Stage-I in the entire NCR; the CPCB only provides the daily AQI bulletin.
Where is the NSG's new Special Operations Training Centre, whose foundation stone was laid on 14 October 2025, being built?
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Correct answer: A — Manesar, Gurugram
PIB: Amit Shah performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the Special Operations Training Centre at the NSG campus in Manesar, Gurugram.
According to the Home Minister in October 2025, a new NSG hub is being established in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Ayodhya
PIB: a new NSG hub is being established in Ayodhya, following hubs in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Jammu.
Consider the following statements about the NSG's Special Operations Training Centre (SOTC): 1. It is being built on 8 acres at a cost of ₹141 crore. 2. It will train anti-terror units of state police forces in addition to NSG personnel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the SOTC is being built on 8 acres at ₹141 crore; not only NSG personnel but also anti-terror units of police forces across the country will be trained there.
For the Bihar Assembly election 2025, political advertisements on social media must be pre-certified by which committee?
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Correct answer: A — Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC)
PIB (ECI): every party and contesting candidate must apply to the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for pre-certification of political advertisements on electronic media, including social media.
Consider the following statements about the ECI's October 2025 directions: 1. Under Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Supreme Court directions, parties must submit their internet and social media campaign expenditure within 75 days of completion of the election. 2. Candidates must share details of their authentic social media accounts at the time of filing nomination. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB (ECI): parties should submit a statement of internet/social media campaign expenditure within 75 days of completion of the election under Section 77(1) RPA 1951 and SC directions; candidates must share their authentic social media accounts at nomination.
Under which mechanism did India Post resume international postal services to the USA from 15 October 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)
PIB: India Post has established a compliant mechanism for Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) processing, under which applicable customs duties are prepaid in India.
As per US CBP guidelines cited by India Post in October 2025, customs duty on postal shipments from India to the USA is levied at:
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Correct answer: A — A flat 50% of the declared FOB value
PIB: customs duty on postal shipments from India to the USA is applicable at a flat rate of 50% of the declared FOB value under the IEEPA tariff; no additional base or product-specific duties apply.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 0.13%
PIB (DPIIT): the annual rate of inflation based on WPI is 0.13% (provisional) for September 2025. (-)1.99% is the WPI Food Index inflation and (-)0.58% the July final figure.
In the Wholesale Price Index (base 2011-12), which major group carries the highest weight?
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Correct answer: C — Manufactured Products
PIB (DPIIT): Manufactured Products have a weight of 64.23%, Primary Articles 22.62% and Fuel & Power 13.15%.
Which Indian Navy ship took part in the maiden India–Republic of Korea Navy bilateral exercise in October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — INS Sahyadri
PIB: INS Sahyadri made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour on 13 October 2025 to participate in the maiden IN–RoKN bilateral exercise.
INS Sahyadri, which took part in the first India–RoK Navy exercise, belongs to which class of ships?
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Correct answer: B — Shivalik-class stealth frigates
PIB: commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigates.
The IndiaAI Face Authentication Challenge launched in October 2025 aims to develop AI solutions mainly for:
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Correct answer: B — Photo verification and de-duplication in public examinations
PIB: the challenge invites solutions for image verification and application de-duplication to strengthen the integrity of large-scale public examinations.
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was scheduled for 20–28 November 2025 in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Panaji
PIB: the 56th edition of IFFI is set to take place from 20th to 28th November 2025 in Panaji, Goa.
Project Seabird, under whose Phase IIA housing was inaugurated in October 2025, is being developed at which naval base?
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Correct answer: C — Karwar
PIB: Adm Dinesh K Tripathi inaugurated residential accommodation as part of Project Seabird Phase IIA at Naval Base, Karwar, on 14 October 2025.
Which of the following is included in Phase IIA of Project Seabird, as stated by the Navy in October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — A dual-use Naval Air Station and four covered dry berths
PIB: Phase IIA also includes a dual-use Naval Air Station, a full-fledged Naval Dockyard, four Covered Dry Berths and logistics for ships and aircraft.
Under its October 2025 MoU with the Labour Ministry, about how many flexible livelihood opportunities will Zomato list annually on the National Career Service portal?
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Correct answer: B — 2.5 lakh
PIB: under the new 'Aggregator' category, Zomato will list around 2.5 lakh flexible livelihood opportunities annually on the NCS portal.
Consider the following statements made by the Labour Ministry in October 2025: 1. The National Career Service portal was launched in 2020 and has mobilised over 7.7 crore vacancies. 2. India's social security coverage rose from 19% in 2015 to 74.3% in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. PIB: the NCS portal was launched in 2015 (not 2020) and has mobilised over 7.7 crore vacancies; social security coverage rose from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% (not 74.3%) in 2025, reaching 94 crore citizens.
According to Sarbananda Sonowal in October 2025, India's maritime sector is planned to attract how much investment by 2047?
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Correct answer: D — ₹8 trillion
PIB: India is charting a course toward global maritime leadership by 2047 with planned investments of ₹8 trillion and 1.5 crore jobs. ₹5.5 lakh crore refers to Sagarmala projects.
As per the Ports Minister in October 2025, India supplies about what share of the world's seafarers?
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Correct answer: B — 12%
PIB: India now supplies 12% of the world's seafarers.
India's headline CPI inflation for September 2025 (1.54%) was the lowest since:
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Correct answer: B — June 2017
PIB (MoSPI): headline inflation of 1.54% in September 2025 is the lowest year-on-year inflation after June 2017.
What was the all-India food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) in September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — -2.28%
PIB (MoSPI): CFPI-based food inflation for September 2025 is -2.28% (provisional); -2.17% and -2.47% are the rural and urban figures.
Consider the following statements about the CPI release for September 2025: 1. The housing index used in CPI is compiled for the urban sector only. 2. Urban headline inflation was lower than rural headline inflation in September 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: the housing index is compiled for the urban sector only; urban headline inflation (2.04%) was higher than rural (1.07%).
Who chairs the Technical Expert Group constituted by MoSPI to guide the National Household Income Survey 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dr Surjit S. Bhalla
PIB: MoSPI constituted a Technical Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Dr Surjit S. Bhalla, former Executive Director of India, IMF.
When is the National Household Income Survey (NHIS), India's first pan-India household income survey, scheduled to be launched?
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Correct answer: D — February 2026
PIB: the National Household Income Survey is scheduled to be launched in February 2026 and will be the first-ever pan-India survey focused on household income.
In October 2025, Amit Shah performed the ground-breaking in Jaipur for investment proposals worth how much in Rajasthan?
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Correct answer: B — ₹4 lakh crore
PIB: Amit Shah performed the ground-breaking for investment proposals worth ₹4 lakh crore in Jaipur. ₹35 lakh crore is the total MoUs signed and ₹7 lakh crore the amount grounded.
According to Amit Shah in Jaipur in October 2025, Rajasthan's conviction rate after implementation of the three new criminal laws rose from 42% to:
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Correct answer: C — 60%
PIB: after the implementation of the three new laws, the conviction rate in Rajasthan has gone up from 42% to 60%, and is expected to reach 90% once fully implemented.
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, which completed four years in October 2025, was launched on:
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Correct answer: C — 13 October 2021
PIB: launched on 13 October 2021, PM GatiShakti integrates geospatial data from more than 57 Central Ministries, Departments and States/UTs.
'PM GatiShakti – Offshore', launched in October 2025, is primarily meant for:
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Correct answer: A — Integrated planning and management of offshore development
PIB: PM GatiShakti – Offshore is a digital platform for the integrated planning and management of offshore development, consolidating datasets from multiple ministries.
Consider the following statements about PM GatiShakti District Master Plans: 1. They were first developed for 28 Aspirational Districts in October 2024. 2. As of October 2025, they are being rolled out to all 112 Aspirational Districts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: PM GatiShakti District Master Plans were launched for 28 Aspirational Districts in October 2024 and are now being progressively rolled out across all 112 Aspirational Districts.
Under the 'Vishwas Scheme' approved by EPFO's CBT in October 2025, penal damages for delayed PF remittance (beyond 4 months) are set at:
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Correct answer: B — A flat rate of 1% per month
PIB: under Vishwas Scheme the rate of penal damages will be a flat 1% per month, except graded rates of 0.25% for default up to 2 months and 0.50% up to 4 months.
Consider the following statements about the partial withdrawal changes approved at the 238th CBT meeting: 1. Members can withdraw up to 100% of the eligible balance, including the employer's share. 2. The minimum service requirement for all partial withdrawals has been reduced to 12 months. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: members can withdraw up to 100% of the eligible balance including employee and employer share, and the minimum service requirement has been uniformly reduced to 12 months for all partial withdrawals.
How many earlier partial-withdrawal provisions of the EPF Scheme were merged into a single rule by the CBT in October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 13
PIB: CBT simplified partial withdrawals by merging 13 complex provisions into a single rule under three categories.
During which period will the Employees' Enrolment Scheme 2025 of EPFO remain operational?
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Correct answer: A — 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026
PIB: the scheme shall be operational from November 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
Under the Employees' Enrolment Scheme 2025, what penal damage must an employer pay?
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Correct answer: D — A lump sum of Rs 100 only
PIB: employers availing the scheme shall be liable to pay a nominal Penal Damage of Rs 100 only as a lump sum.
Which of the following Global Impact Challenges under the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is meant for young innovators aged 13–21 years?
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Correct answer: D — YUVAi
PIB: YUVAi is a youth-first initiative for innovators aged 13–21 years to develop AI solutions for public good.
Consider the following statements about the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 challenges: 1. 'AI by HER' is organised by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog. 2. The Summit is scheduled for 16–20 February 2026 in New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: AI by HER is organised by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), NITI Aayog; the grand showcase is the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, 16–20 February 2026, New Delhi.
According to NITI Aayog's October 2025 report on deep-sea fisheries, India accounts for what share of global fish production?
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Correct answer: A — 8%
PIB: India is the second-largest fish-producing country in the world, accounting for 8% of global production.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report 'India's Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries': 1. India's EEZ has an estimated potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes. 2. Phase 1 of the proposed roadmap covers 2025–28. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the EEZ has an estimated potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes; Phase 1 (laying the foundation and fostering early growth) spans 3 years, 2025–28.
What is the key feature of Alliance Air's 'Fare Se Fursat' scheme launched in October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — A single fixed fare that stays the same regardless of booking date
PIB: under the scheme, Alliance Air will offer a single, fixed fare that remains constant regardless of the booking date, even on the day of departure.
What was the Ministry of Defence's total capital allocation for FY 2025-26, of which it had used over 50% by September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 1,80,000 crore
PIB: capital expenditure stood at Rs 92,211.44 crore (51.23%) out of the total allocation of Rs 1,80,000 crore. Rs 1,59,768.40 crore was the previous year's fully used capex.
According to the MoD, on which category was the majority of its capital expenditure in FY 2025-26 (till September) incurred?
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Correct answer: B — Aircraft and aero engines
PIB: the majority of the expenditure has been on aircraft and aero engines, followed by land systems, electronic warfare equipment, armaments and projectiles.
The 4 km elevated corridor in Puducherry, whose foundation stone was laid in October 2025, connects which two points on NH-32?
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Correct answer: A — Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square
PIB: the foundation stone was laid for a 4 km elevated corridor between Indira Gandhi Square and Rajiv Gandhi Square on NH-32.
Which four-lane national highway section in Puducherry did Nitin Gadkari inaugurate in October 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam (NH-32)
PIB: the projects include the inauguration of the 38 km four-lane Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam section of NH-32.
The GI-tagged Mizo Bird's Eye Chilli is mainly grown in which districts of Mizoram?
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Correct answer: D — Lunglei, Siaha and Lawngtlai
PIB: the Mizo Bird's Eye Chilli is mainly grown in the districts of Lunglei, Siaha and Lawngtlai.
Under the GST rationalisation, what is the new GST rate on processed Mizo Bird's Eye Chilli, ginger and turmeric?
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Correct answer: B — 5%
PIB: GST cut from 18% to 5% on processed Mizo Bird's Eye Chilli, ginger and turmeric.
What is the motto of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), as cited at its Raising Day Parade in Valsad in October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Yasho Labhaswa
PIB: the RPF works towards its motto 'Yasho Labhaswa' or 'Attain Glory'.