Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The Raising Day of which force is observed on 27 July, on which the Prime Minister greeted its personnel in 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Central Reserve Police Force
The PM greeted CRPF personnel on their Raising Day on 27 July 2026.
In which weight category did Mirabai Chanu win gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?
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Correct answer: A — Women's 48 kg
Mirabai Chanu won the women's 48 kg gold with a total of 190 kg.
What total did Mirabai Chanu lift to win gold at Glasgow 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 190 kg
She lifted 85 kg (snatch) + 105 kg (clean and jerk) = 190 kg, a Games record.
Consider the following statements about Mirabai Chanu's Commonwealth Games record after Glasgow 2026: 1. She has won gold at three consecutive Commonwealth Games. 2. She has won four Commonwealth Games medals in all. 3. Her first Commonwealth Games medal was a silver at Glasgow 2014. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: golds at Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2026, plus silver at Glasgow 2014 – four medals in all.
Consider the following pairs of Indian weightlifters and their silver-medal categories at Glasgow 2026 (26 July): 1. Rishikanta Singh – Men's 60 kg 2. Raja Muthupandi – Men's 65 kg 3. Rishikanta Singh – Games record in clean and jerk Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Rishikanta Singh won silver in the men's 60 kg and Raja Muthupandi in the men's 65 kg. Rishikanta's Games record (121 kg) came in the snatch, not the clean and jerk (143 kg).
'Chongpreng', a three-stringed bamboo musical instrument mentioned in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, belongs to which State?
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Correct answer: C — Tripura
The PM described Chongpreng as an instrument from Tripura, popular among its tribal communities, whose tune resembles the sarod.
The traditional 'Vagu' mat, whose revival was praised in the 136th Mann Ki Baat, is made from what and belongs to which region?
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Correct answer: A — Reeds and paddy straw – Kashmir
Vagu is Kashmir's traditional mat crafted from reeds and paddy straw; it keeps cool in summer and warm in winter.
According to the PM's Mann Ki Baat of 26 July 2026, Khadi sales have grown how much over the last 12 years?
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Correct answer: B — Six-fold, to nearly ₹8,000 crore
The PM said Khadi sales have increased six-fold over the last 12 years and reached nearly ₹8,000 crore.
'Aksharakanduk', mentioned in the 136th episode of Mann Ki Baat, is:
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Correct answer: D — A school project in Ernakulam, Kerala that teaches Sanskrit letters through football terms
Aksharakanduk is a project of a school Sanskrit club in South Chittoor, Ernakulam, Kerala, where a teacher explains Sanskrit letters by linking them to football terms.
Who heads the high-powered task force on examination reforms announced by the Prime Minister on 26 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Nandan Nilekani
The task force is led by Nandan Nilekani. S. Somanath and V. Kamakoti are members.
The Nilekani-led task force constituted in July 2026 is to recommend reforms mainly for examinations conducted by which body?
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Correct answer: B — National Testing Agency
The task force will recommend technology-driven and structural reforms for examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Which of the following is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau named as a member of the examination-reforms task force in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Tapan Deka
Tapan Deka is the former IB director on the panel. Anita Karwal is a former education secretary and Amrit Lal Meena a logistics expert and former civil servant.
Consider the following statements about the examination-reforms task force announced on 26 July 2026: 1. It has six members. 2. Former ISRO chairman S. Somanath is a member. 3. The Director of IIT Madras is a member. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: the six members are Nandan Nilekani (chair), S. Somanath, Tapan Deka, V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Anita Karwal and Amrit Lal Meena.
Under Himachal Pradesh's Mukhyamantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana launched in July 2026, how much will eligible reservoir fishermen get each year during the fishing ban?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,500
Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹3,500 annually during the fishing ban period, through DBT.
Which of the following reservoirs is NOT listed among those whose fishing families are covered by Himachal's Machhuara Samman Nidhi Yojana (2026)?
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Correct answer: D — Bhakra's Nangal Lake
The listed reservoirs are Gobind Sagar, Pong Dam, Kol Dam, Chamera and Ranjit Sagar.
Volunteers of which platform took part in the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026, with whom the PM interacted on 26 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat)
MY Bharat volunteers shared experiences from border villages; over 5,000 volunteers from 245 districts joined virtually.
During the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026 interaction, what share of their travel budget did the PM urge citizens to spend on local products?
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Correct answer: A — At least 5%
The PM urged citizens to spend at least five per cent of their travel budget on purchasing local products.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations on 26 July 2026 at which place?
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Correct answer: B — Dras
Rajnath Singh addressed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Dras, Ladakh.
Which edition of Kargil Vijay Diwas was observed on 26 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 27th
26 July 2026 marked the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The 'Shaurya Vijay Yatra' mentioned by the PM in Mann Ki Baat on Kargil Vijay Diwas 2026 is:
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Correct answer: A — A motorcycle rally from the National War Memorial, Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial, Dras
The Shaurya Vijay Yatra is a motorcycle rally that started on 14 July 2026 from the National War Memorial in Delhi and goes to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras.
As stated by the PM in Mann Ki Baat on 26 July 2026, how did India perform in the 2026 Physics Olympiad?
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Correct answer: D — All five students won gold; India ranked first
The PM said all five Indian students won gold in the Physics Olympiad and India secured the top rank.
According to the PM's Mann Ki Baat (26 July 2026), what was India's medal haul in the 2026 Mathematics Olympiad?
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Correct answer: B — Two gold and four silver
In the Mathematics Olympiad, Indian students secured two gold and four silver medals.
'Mission Jal Raksha', highlighted by the Jal Shakti Ministry in July 2026 for groundwater recharge, belongs to which district?
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Correct answer: A — Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh
Mission Jal Raksha is an initiative of Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh under the Catch the Rain campaign.
Consider the following outcomes reported for Rajnandgaon's Mission Jal Raksha (July 2026): 1. Over 60,000 water conservation and recharge structures in 662 villages. 2. An average groundwater-level rise of about 2.04 m. 3. Complete ban on summer paddy cultivation in the district. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. There was no ban; nearly 70% of summer paddy area voluntarily shifted to less water-intensive crops.
Who took charge of the Union Ministry of Education on 26 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pralhad Joshi
Pralhad Joshi took charge of the Ministry of Education at Kartavya Bhavan. Jayant Chaudhary is the Minister of State for Education.
Besides Education, which of the following Ministries does Pralhad Joshi also hold, as stated when he took charge in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — New and Renewable Energy
He also holds Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Pralhad Joshi took over the Education Ministry after the resignation of which minister on 25 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister on 25 July 2026.
'Prarambh', which concluded on 26 July 2026, was:
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Correct answer: B — A two-day orientation workshop for newly elected and nominated Rajya Sabha members
Prarambh was a two-day orientation workshop for new Rajya Sabha members; Deputy Chairman Harivansh gave the valedictory address.
With the inscription of the 'Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath' in July 2026, how many World Heritage properties does India have?
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Correct answer: B — 45
Sarnath became India's 45th property on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sarnath was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Busan
The decision was taken at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.
Which two component parts make up the inscribed serial property 'Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath'?
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Correct answer: A — Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath
The property comprises the Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (which include the Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara and Ashokan Pillar).
Consider the following statements about Sarnath's World Heritage inscription (2026): 1. Sarnath had been on India's Tentative List since 1998. 2. It was inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi). 3. With it, all four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites are now World Heritage properties. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: three of the four principal sites – Lumbini, Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple and Sarnath – are now on the list, not all four.
Which Union Minister resigned from the Council of Ministers on 25 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
The President accepted Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation; Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of Education.
Under which constitutional provision did the President accept a Union Minister's resignation on 25 July 2026, on the Prime Minister's advice?
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Correct answer: A — Article 75(2)
The communique cited clause (2) of Article 75, under which Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. Article 164 deals with State ministers.
Consider the following statements about the events of 25 July 2026: 1. Pralhad Joshi was given the Education Ministry in addition to his existing portfolio. 2. The Cockroach Janta Party called off its agitation after the government accepted its demands. 3. The agitation was mainly over the NEET paper leak and exam irregularities. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct, as per the President's Secretariat communique and media reports of 25 July 2026.
As of 30 April 2026, how many Fast Track Special Courts (including exclusive POCSO courts) were functional in India?
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Correct answer: A — 775
775 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were functional in 29 States/UTs. 790 was the target under the last extension.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts has been temporarily extended up to which date?
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Correct answer: C — 30 September 2026
After the last extension expired on 31 March 2026, the scheme was temporarily extended up to 30 September 2026.
'Bharat Taxi', launched in Rajasthan in July 2026, is an initiative of which Union Ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Cooperation
Bharat Taxi is a cooperative-model mobility initiative under the Ministry of Cooperation.
In the Bharat Taxi cooperative model, what are the drivers called?
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Correct answer: D — Sarathis
Drivers are called 'Sarathis'; each is a member and shareholder with a share in profits.
Consider the following statements made at the Bharat Taxi launch in Jaipur (July 2026): 1. Nearly 8 lakh Sarathis and 41 lakh customers have joined Bharat Taxi. 2. One of India's earliest cooperative societies was set up at Deeg in Bharatpur in 1904. 3. India has about 8.60 lakh cooperative societies with over 32 crore members. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3
All three figures were stated by MoS Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol at the launch.
What is the approved outlay of the DISHA 2.0 scheme for 2026-31?
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Correct answer: B — ₹255 crore
DISHA 2.0 is a Central Sector Scheme with an approved outlay of ₹255 crore for 2026-31.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four components of DISHA 2.0?
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Correct answer: D — e-Courts Phase III
The four components are Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness, and VIDHI-Sanjeevani. e-Courts Phase III is a separate scheme.
Somnath Chatterjee, whose birth anniversary was observed on 25 July 2026, was the Speaker of which Lok Sabha?
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Correct answer: D — 14th
He was unanimously elected Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha on 4 June 2004 and served until 31 May 2009.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee was born in 1929 in which place?
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Correct answer: B — Tezpur, Assam
Somnath Chatterjee was born on 25 July 1929 in Tezpur, Assam.
Who became the first Indian to win the World Squash Junior Championship title in July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Anahat Singh
Anahat Singh won the 2026 women's world junior title; Joshna Chinappa had been runner-up in 2005.
Anahat Singh defeated Ruqayya Salem in the final of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships. Ruqayya Salem represents which country?
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Correct answer: B — Egypt
Ruqayya Salem, the second seed, is from Egypt; Anahat won 11-3, 11-7, 11-9.
Where were the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships, won by India's Anahat Singh, held?
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Correct answer: C — Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
The championships were held at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (per World Squash). Anahat had won bronze at the previous edition in Cairo.
The appraisal well MN-DWN18-1-HD, whose drilling began on 25 July 2026, is in which basin?
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Correct answer: C — Mahanadi Offshore Basin
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first appraisal well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin.
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first of how many planned deepwater wells to evaluate the Mahanadi Offshore Basin?
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Correct answer: A — Four
It is the first of four planned deepwater wells.
How many persons did the Indian Coast Guard rescue in flood relief operations in Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and South Gujarat, as reported on 25 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 170
The Coast Guard rescued 170 persons through 11 operations since midnight of 22 July 2026; 60 of them were from the Welspun Industrial Area.
In July 2026, a Department of Commerce team reviewed the market situation of which crop in Andhra Pradesh?
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Correct answer: B — Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco
The team reviewed the FCV tobacco market, joined a meeting chaired by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and visited the Tobacco Board auction platform at Vellampalli.
INS Sudarshini, which departed Boston on 25 July 2026 under 'Lokayan 26', is the Indian Navy's:
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Correct answer: A — Sail training ship
INS Sudarshini is the Indian Navy's sail training ship; it represented India at SAIL 250 and the International Naval Review 250 in the USA.
The 3rd Bharat CPSEs' Consultative Conclave 2026 on Project and Asset Management concluded on 25 July 2026 at which institution?
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Correct answer: D — Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara
It concluded at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara, organised by the Capacity Building Commission and the Department of Public Enterprises.
How many dedicated Chemical Parks will be set up under the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme approved by the Cabinet in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Three
BHAVYA Rasayan provides for three dedicated Chemical Parks.
What is the total financial outlay of the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme?
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Correct answer: C — ₹3,030 crore
Total outlay is ₹3,030 crore – ₹3,000 crore for common infrastructure and basic utilities and ₹30 crore for administrative expenditure.
Under BHAVYA Rasayan, the Centre's grant per Chemical Park is up to ₹1,000 crore subject to what minimum contribution by the State Government?
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Correct answer: D — ₹500 crore
The central grant of up to ₹1,000 crore per park is subject to a minimum State contribution of ₹500 crore.
Consider the following statements about the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme: 1. It was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. 2. It will run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. 3. Its entire outlay is meant for land acquisition by States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: ₹3,000 crore is for Common Infrastructure Facilities and Basic Utilities inside the parks and ₹30 crore for administration.
The Ima Market inaugurated at Salam, Imphal West in July 2026 was built under which central scheme?
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Correct answer: D — Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
The Ima Market was built for ₹3 crore under SASCI; the DIET building at the same place was built under Samagra Shiksha.
How many DIET (District Institute of Education and Training) centres has the Union Ministry of Education approved for Manipur?
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Correct answer: A — 16
The Ministry approved 16 DIET centres in Manipur – one in each of the State's 16 districts.
Who won India's first medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow?
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Correct answer: B — Jhandu Kumar
Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar opened India's tally with a men's heavyweight bronze on 24 July 2026.
What was Jhandu Kumar's best successful lift in the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at Glasgow 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 190 kg
He lifted 181 kg, then 190 kg (130.9 points); his 196 kg attempt failed.
In the men's heavyweight para powerlifting event at Glasgow 2026, which athlete won the gold medal?
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Correct answer: C — Riluwan Idris (Nigeria)
Riluwan Idris of Nigeria won gold with 132.8 points; Matthew Harding (131.0) took silver and Jhandu Kumar (130.9) bronze.
Under the TV Rating Policy 2026, the number of metered homes for audience measurement is to be expanded to:
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Correct answer: D — 80,000
Metered homes are to be increased from 50,000 to 80,000.
The TV Rating Policy 2026 reduced the net-worth requirement for TV rating agencies from ₹20 crore to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹5 crore
The net-worth criterion was reduced from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore.
Consider the following statements about the TV Rating Policy 2026: 1. It replaces the Guidelines for TV Rating Agencies issued in January 2014. 2. It provides for establishment surveys every three years. 3. It excludes the landing page from computation of viewership data. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
As per RBI data shared in Parliament in July 2026, what was the value of India's services exports in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — USD 421.3 billion
Services exports were USD 421.3 billion in FY 2025-26, up from USD 387.5 billion in FY 2024-25.
Which sub-sector had the largest share (about 49%) of India's services exports in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — Telecommunications, computer and information services
Telecommunications, computer and information services earned USD 206.6 billion, 49.03% of the total; business services were second at 29.5%.
Which anniversary of Income Tax Day was celebrated by the CBDT on 24 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 167th
The CBDT celebrated the 167th Income Tax Day in New Delhi on 24 July 2026.
Which of the following is NOT one of the '5Rs of Responsive Tax Governance' outlined by the Finance Minister on Income Tax Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Revenue
The 5Rs are Recognise, Respond, Redress, Reflect and Reform. 'Revenue' is not one of them.
The CCEA in July 2026 approved the 3rd and 4th line of which railway section spanning Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh?
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Correct answer: D — Ballari–Guntakal
The approved project is the 3rd and 4th line of the Ballari–Guntakal section, costing about ₹1,264 crore.
By about how many km will the Ballari–Guntakal multitracking project increase the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: A — 46 km
The project will add about 46 km; it will improve connectivity to about 99 villages.