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 export target did Piyush Goyal set for India's leather and footwear industry on 6 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — At least USD 15 billion in five to six years
Goyal urged at least USD 15 billion in exports over the next five to six years, against about USD 4–4.5 billion now.
According to Piyush Goyal's statement of 6 July 2026, from which date does the India–UK FTA come into force?
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Correct answer: D — 15 July 2026
Goyal said the UK FTA would come into force on 15 July.
In which year was the Union Ministry of Cooperation created, which marked its 5th Foundation Day in July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2021
Amit Shah said the Ministry of Cooperation was created in 2021.
How many national-level cooperative societies exist, as stated at the Ministry of Cooperation's 5th Foundation Day?
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Correct answer: B — Nine
Shah said a total of nine national-level cooperative societies have been formed, including three newly created ones.
Bharat Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), mentioned by Amit Shah in July 2026, is expected to become what within three years?
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Correct answer: A — India's largest seed production company
Shah said BBSSL will emerge as the country's largest seed production company within the next three years.
Who chaired MoSPI's Expert Committee on Energy Statistics, whose report was released on 6 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dr Rangan Banerjee
The committee was chaired by Dr Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi.
Which annual MoSPI publication did the Expert Committee on Energy Statistics review?
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Correct answer: A — Energy Statistics India
The committee comprehensively reviewed MoSPI's annual publication 'Energy Statistics India' and the energy statistics database.
Which portfolio did Babu Jagjivan Ram hold during the 1971 Indo-Pak War?
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Correct answer: D — Defence Minister
PIB notes he was Defence Minister during the 1971 war; earlier, as Food and Agriculture Minister, he advanced the Green Revolution.
Where was the homage ceremony for Babu Jagjivan Ram's 40th death anniversary held on 6 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Samta Sthal
The ceremony was held at Samta Sthal, Delhi Gate, New Delhi.
How much crude steel did India produce in April–June 2026, according to the Steel Ministry?
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Correct answer: C — 42.1 Mt
Crude steel output was 42.1 Mt, up from 40.8 Mt in April–June 2025; 41.0 Mt is finished steel and 23.5 Mt hot metal.
In April–June 2026, what was India's trade position in finished steel?
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Correct answer: A — Net importer
Imports (about 2,063.9 thousand tonnes) exceeded exports (about 1,592.8 thousand tonnes), making India a net importer.
On which date was the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India established?
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Correct answer: B — 12 October 1993
The NHRC was established on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 received Presidential assent on 8 January 1994. From which date is it deemed to have come into force?
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Correct answer: C — 28 September 1993
Section 1(3) of the Act says it shall be deemed to have come into force on 28 September 1993.
Envoys of which of the following countries did NOT present credentials to President Murmu on 6 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Fiji
The six countries were Mozambique, Nicaragua, Suriname, Gabon, Mongolia and the Bahamas; Fiji was not among them.
Teejan Bai, who died on 5 July 2026, was the best-known exponent of Pandavani. Pandavani narrates episodes from which epic?
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Correct answer: A — Mahabharata
Pandavani is the traditional Chhattisgarhi musical narration of episodes from the Mahabharata.
Pandavani, the folk art form taken to the world by Teejan Bai, belongs to which state?
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Correct answer: C — Chhattisgarh
PM Modi said Teejan Bai gave the Pandavani folk art form of Chhattisgarh a unique identity across the world.
In which year was Teejan Bai conferred the Padma Vibhushan?
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Correct answer: D — 2019
The MHA press note of 25 January 2019 lists Ms. Teejan Bai (Art-Vocals-Folk, Chhattisgarh) first among the four Padma Vibhushan awardees of 2019.
Consider the following statements about Teejan Bai: 1. She died at AIIMS Raipur on 5 July 2026. 2. Pandavani, her art form, narrates episodes from the Ramayana. 3. She was a Padma Vibhushan awardee. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
She died at AIIMS Raipur on 5 July 2026 and was a Padma Vibhushan awardee; Pandavani narrates the Mahabharata, not the Ramayana.
How much did the Centre release on 5 July 2026 as the first instalment (Mother Sanction) to States under VB-G-RAM-G?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 25,863 crore
Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the first instalment (Mother Sanction) of Rs 25,863 crore to the States.
According to the Rural Development Minister, what is the minimum daily wage rate that any State will now have under VB-G-RAM-G?
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Correct answer: D — Rs 300
Wage rates have been raised by about 10% on average, and no State will now have a wage rate below Rs 300 per day.
The VB-G-RAM-G Act, 2025 guarantees how many days of wage employment per financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work?
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Correct answer: A — 125 days
Section 5(1) of the Act provides a guarantee of not less than 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year, up from the earlier 100 days.
Consider the following statements about VB-G-RAM-G: 1. Its provisions came into force in all States and UTs on 1 July 2026. 2. Wage rates under it were raised by about 25% on average. 3. The first instalment is meant to let States pay wages within 15 days. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
S.O. 2382(E) appointed 1 July 2026 for all States and UTs, and the instalment aims at wage payment within 15 days; the average wage rise was about 10%, not 25%.
Who has been invited by UNCTAD to chair the Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy (6-8 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Nidhi Khare
Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, was invited by UNCTAD to chair the Ninth Session.
Which country's consumer protection law and policy will undergo a voluntary peer review at the Ninth Session of UNCTAD's IGE on Consumer Protection?
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Correct answer: C — Argentina
The session includes a voluntary peer review of Argentina's consumer protection law and policy.
The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, under which UNCTAD's IGE on Consumer Protection works, were first adopted by the UN General Assembly in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1985
The Guidelines were first adopted by General Assembly resolution 39/248 in 1985, expanded by ECOSOC in 1999 and revised by resolution 70/186 on 22 December 2015.
At which naval base in Singapore did INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti make their port call (concluded July 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — Changi
The three ships concluded their port call at Changi Naval Base, Singapore.
INS Udaygiri, INS Shakti and INS Kavaratti, which visited Singapore in July 2026, belong to which fleet of the Indian Navy?
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Correct answer: C — Eastern Fleet
The ships are of the Eastern Fleet, led by Rear Admiral Alok Anand, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
Under which Act did the DRI seize about 1.11 lakh bottles of codeine-based cough syrup in Tripura and West Bengal (announced 5 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — NDPS Act, 1985
Both seizures were made under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Dankuni, where the DRI found 56,225 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup in a warehouse, is in which state?
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Correct answer: D — West Bengal
DRI officers searched a warehouse at Dankuni, West Bengal and recovered 56,225 bottles from 104 sealed iron drums.
Where was the Ministry of Law and Justice's Reforms Utsav & Chintan Shivir 2026 held on 4-5 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gyan Sarovar, Mount Abu, Rajasthan
The event was held at Gyan Sarovar, Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
What was the outcome document adopted at the end of the Law Ministry's Reforms Utsav & Chintan Shivir 2026 called?
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Correct answer: A — Sankalp Patra (Mount Abu Declaration)
The Shivir concluded with the adoption of the Mount Abu Declaration, the Ministry's 'Sankalp Patra'.
Which plan was adopted after Amit Shah's review of illegal coal mining and theft in Dhanbad and nearby areas (announced 5 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: C — Zero Coal Leakage Plan
A 'Zero Coal Leakage Plan' was adopted to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound response to illegal mining and unauthorised transport of coal.
Under which Act have CISF and Coal India Limited officials been authorised to file cases and seize illegally mined coal?
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Correct answer: B — Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
CISF and CIL officials have been authorised to act under the MMDR Act, 1957, which lets them file cases, enter premises, search and seize illegally extracted minerals.
Consider the following directions given at the review of illegal coal mining: 1. The coal sector is to be included in the priority list for CISF deployment. 2. GST authorities are to verify e-way bills for coal being transported. 3. The Army is to be deployed in vulnerable coal areas. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
The directions covered CISF priority deployment, CISF Quick Response Teams and e-way bill checks through GST authorities; no Army deployment was mentioned.
How many vessels carrying fertilisers and fertiliser raw materials for India had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, as per the Department of Fertilizers on 5 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 15
A total of 15 vessels carrying fertilisers and fertiliser raw materials for India had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
What was India's urea production in the first quarter (April-June) of FY 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 71.55 LMT
India produced 71.55 LMT of urea in April-June 2026 against a target of 67.86 LMT, beating it by 3.69 LMT.
Consider the following statements from the Department of Fertilizers update of 5 July 2026: 1. Natural gas supply to fertiliser plants has been restored to 100% after falling to nearly 65%. 2. Of the 15 vessels, 8 were carrying urea. 3. Only 5 Indian Missions abroad were involved in securing new supplies. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Gas supply was restored to 100% from nearly 65%, and 8 of the 15 vessels carried urea; 28 Indian Missions, not 5, played a role.
The edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle held on 5 July 2026, celebrating 100 years of Sri Sathya Sai, was which edition?
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Correct answer: B — 80th
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya led the nationwide 80th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle from JLN Stadium, New Delhi.
About how many erstwhile Ordnance Factory employees are covered by the government's decision to redeploy them into regular government service (highlighted on 5 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: C — 65,000
The decision covers nearly 65,000 erstwhile Ordnance Factory employees, following the restructuring of the Ordnance Factory Board.
On 5 July 2026, PM Narendra Modi paid tribute on his birth anniversary to which former Union Minister, remembered for the upliftment of deprived and weaker sections?
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Correct answer: D — Ram Vilas Paswan
The PM paid tribute to former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on his birth anniversary on 5 July 2026.
What is the approximate outlay of the Modified UDAN Scheme launched by PM Modi on 4 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rs 29,000 crore over ten years
The Modified UDAN Scheme, approved on 25 March 2026, has an outlay of approximately Rs 29,000 crore over the next ten years.
How many aerodromes are to be developed from existing unserved airstrips under the Modified UDAN Scheme?
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Correct answer: A — 100
The scheme provides Rs 12,159 crore to develop 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips; 200 is the number of helipads.
The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, whose next phase was launched on 4 July 2026, was originally launched in which month and year?
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Correct answer: B — October 2016
The UDAN Scheme was launched in October 2016 and has since operationalised 669 routes connecting 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
Consider the following statements about the Modified UDAN Scheme: 1. It provides Viability Gap Funding of Rs 10,043 crore. 2. It provides for 200 modern helipads. 3. It promotes indigenous platforms such as HAL Dhruv and Dornier. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: VGF of Rs 10,043 crore, 200 helipads (Rs 3,661 crore) and promotion of HAL Dhruv and Dornier.
The HPCL Rajasthan refinery-cum-petrochemical complex dedicated to the nation on 4 July 2026 is located at which place?
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Correct answer: C — Pachpadra, Balotra
The refinery-cum-petrochemical complex is at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Balotra district.
What is the refining capacity of the HPCL Rajasthan refinery at Pachpadra?
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Correct answer: B — 9 MMTPA
The greenfield complex has a refining capacity of 9 MMTPA and a petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA.
Under the Rajasthan-Haryana agreement mentioned by the PM at Balotra, water will be carried to the Shekhawati region from which barrage?
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Correct answer: A — Hathnikund Barrage
Water will be transported to Rajasthan from the Hathnikund Barrage through an underground pipeline under a Rs 34,000 crore agreement.
Consider the following statements about the Rajasthan Refinery: 1. It is a joint venture of HPCL and the Government of Rajasthan. 2. It has a petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA. 3. It was built at a cost of over Rs 79,450 crore. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: it is an HPCL-Rajasthan government JV with 2.4 MMTPA petrochemical capacity, built at over Rs 79,450 crore.
The CG Semi OSAT facility inaugurated by PM Modi on 4 July 2026 is located in which place?
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Correct answer: A — Sanand, Gujarat
PM Modi inaugurated the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
The CG Semi OSAT facility at Sanand was built in partnership with which company?
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Correct answer: C — Renesas Electronics, Japan
The facility was built in partnership with Renesas Electronics, Japan, with an investment of over Rs 7,600 crore.
The Semicon India programme, which set up the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) as its nodal agency, was approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2021 with what outlay?
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Correct answer: D — Rs 76,000 crore
The Cabinet approved the programme on 15 December 2021 with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore (over USD 10 billion) and set up ISM to drive it; Rs 2,30,000 crore was the total support for electronics manufacturing.
Consider the following statements about the CG Semi facility at Sanand: 1. It is the third semiconductor plant in India to start commercial production in 2026. 2. It is India's first semiconductor fab. 3. It went from groundbreaking to commercial production in 27 months. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
It is the third plant in commercial production this year and took 27 months from groundbreaking; it is an OSAT unit, while India's first fab is coming up in Dholera.
The India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement, which entered into force on 4 July 2026, was signed on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 8 September 2025
The BIA was signed in New Delhi on 8 September 2025 and entered into force on 4 July 2026.
Where was the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement signed?
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Correct answer: D — New Delhi
The agreement was signed on 8 September 2025 in New Delhi.
Which department of the Ministry of Finance hosts the text of the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Economic Affairs
The PIB release says the India-Israel BIA can be accessed on the Department of Economic Affairs website.
PM Modi congratulated Keiko Fujimori on 4 July 2026 on winning the presidential election of which country?
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Correct answer: A — Peru
The PM congratulated Keiko Fujimori on her victory in the Peruvian presidential election.
Whom did Keiko Fujimori defeat in Peru's presidential runoff held on 7 June 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Roberto Sanchez
Keiko Fujimori won 50.135% of the vote against left-wing congressman Roberto Sanchez's 49.865%.
Consider the following statements about Keiko Fujimori's 2026 election: 1. It was her fourth run for the presidency of Peru. 2. She won the runoff with more than 55% of the vote. 3. She is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
It was her fourth run and she is Alberto Fujimori's daughter; her winning share was 50.135%, not above 55%.
Of the 23 individuals designated as terrorists by the MHA on 4 July 2026, how many are Pakistani nationals?
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Correct answer: C — 17
Of the 23 designated terrorists, 17 are Pakistani nationals and 6 are Indian nationals.
Under which law did the Ministry of Home Affairs designate 23 individuals as terrorists on 4 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
Amit Shah said the 23 were declared terrorists under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The power to designate an individual (not only an organisation) as a terrorist under UAPA was introduced by the UAPA (Amendment) Act, 2019. Individuals are listed in which Schedule of the Act?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth Schedule
The 2019 amendment added the Fourth Schedule [see sections 35(1) and 36] for names of individuals; terrorist organisations are in the First Schedule.
To what level was the procurement price of onions for the Price Stabilisation Buffer raised from 4 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 2,125 per quintal
The procurement price was raised by 13%, from Rs 1,875 to Rs 2,125 per quintal.
Which agencies procure onions for the government's Price Stabilisation Buffer?
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Correct answer: C — NAFED and NCCF
Procurement of onions for the Price Stabilisation Buffer is being done through NAFED and NCCF.
Under which transoceanic expedition did INS Sudarshini sail into New York on 4 July 2026 for the Sail4th 250 celebrations?
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Correct answer: C — Lokayan 2026
The visit is part of the ship's 10-month transoceanic expedition, Lokayan 2026.
On 4 July 2026, PM Modi greeted the United States on which anniversary of its independence?
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Correct answer: A — 250th
PM Modi extended greetings on the historic 250th anniversary of US independence.
PM Modi paid tribute on 4 July 2026 to which spiritual leader on his Nirvana Day?
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Correct answer: B — Swami Vivekananda
The PM paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his Nirvana Day on 4 July 2026.
On 4 July 2026, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan submitted his enumeration form under which exercise?
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Correct answer: C — Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll
He submitted his enumeration form under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Delhi.
The first export shipment of Areko cherries and Scentrose plums from Jammu and Kashmir to the UAE (July 2026) was sourced from which districts?
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Correct answer: D — Shopian and Pulwama
The one-tonne consignment was sourced from farmers in Shopian and Pulwama districts.