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 Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) launched in May 2026 is a strategy between India and which organisation?
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Correct answer: A — International Fund for Agricultural Development
The eight-year COSOP for 2026–2033 was launched by the Government of India with IFAD.
Consider the following statements about the India–IFAD partnership: 1. India's partnership with IFAD spans nearly five decades, with 35 rural development projects implemented in India. 2. The COSOP 2026–2033 has three strategic priorities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The COSOP 2026–2033 has two strategic priorities: rural resilience and knowledge systems for scaling.
How many limestone blocks were put up for auction in the second tranche launched in Jammu & Kashmir in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 12
A total of 12 limestone blocks across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts were put up under Tranche II.
The limestone blocks in J&K's second auction tranche (May 2026) are spread across which districts?
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Correct answer: A — Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch
The 12 blocks are in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Consider the following statements about the J&K limestone block auction (Tranche II, May 2026): 1. The auction is conducted under the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015. 2. All the blocks are at the G1 (detailed exploration) stage of the UNFC. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The blocks are categorised under the G3 and G4 stages of the UNFC, not G1.
How many passengers did the Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat services carry in the first ten days after regularisation (to 11 May 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — 44,727
The four services carried 44,727 passengers up to 11 May; 28,762 was the maiden-week figure.
Consider the following statements: 1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link on 6 June 2025. 2. The augmented Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express flagged off on 30 April 2026 has 20 coaches. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated in the Railway Ministry release of 12 May 2026.
In the May 2026 MoU with I4C on mule accounts, 'RBIH' stands for:
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Correct answer: C — Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
RBIH is the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, which signed the MoU with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of Home Affairs
I4C is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and its Suspect Registry data will feed RBIH's AI fraud detection.
How many EV chargers were approved for Karnataka under the PM E-DRIVE scheme in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 1,243
Proposals for 1,243 EV chargers in Karnataka with an outlay of ₹123.26 crore were approved; 4,874 is the total approved so far.
As of May 2026, proposals worth how much had been approved under PM E-DRIVE for installing 4,874 EV chargers across states and CPSEs?
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Correct answer: C — ₹503.86 crore
Proposals worth ₹503.86 crore have been approved for 4,874 EV chargers across various states and CPSEs.
What cash prize accompanies each National Florence Nightingale Award?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1,00,000
Each award includes a certificate of merit, a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 and a medal.
The National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 were conferred on 12 May 2026, which is observed as:
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Correct answer: B — International Nurses Day
The awards were presented on International Nurses Day, 12 May, with the theme 'Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives'.
CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), whose 13 technologies were transferred to industry on National Technology Day 2026, is located at:
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Correct answer: B — Roorkee
The technologies were developed by CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee.
Under the February 2026 MoU between NCGG and Seychelles' Public Service Bureau, how many Seychellois civil servants are to be trained over three years?
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Correct answer: A — 250
The three-year agreement sets out a roadmap to train 250 Seychellois civil servants.
How many senior Seychelles officials are in the first NCGG capacity-building cohort that began on 11 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 29
The first cohort brings together 29 high-ranking officials, including directors general and senior officers.
From which date will the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 come into force nationwide, as notified on 11 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 1 July 2026
The Centre notified that the Act comes into force across all rural areas from 1 July 2026, when MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed.
How many days of wage employment in a financial year does the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantee to an eligible rural household?
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Correct answer: D — 125 days
The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment a year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work.
Consider the following statements about the transition to the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025: 1. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 will stand repealed from the date the new Act comes into force. 2. All existing MGNREGA job cards become invalid on that date and every worker must register afresh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards remain valid under VB–G RAM G until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
At the 5th IGoM on West Asia on 11 May 2026, India's LPG rolling stock was reported to be enough for how many days?
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Correct answer: C — 45 days
India had 45 days of LPG rolling stock; crude oil and natural gas were 60 days each.
Consider the following statements about the 5th IGoM on West Asia (11 May 2026): 1. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 2. The fertiliser stock of 199.65 LMT covered more than half of the assessed Kharif 2026 requirement of 390.54 LMT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The IGoM was chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh; Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri attended as a member.
As per the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for January–March 2026, what was the overall LFPR for persons aged 15 years and above (CWS)?
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Correct answer: D — 55.5%
Overall LFPR was 55.5%; 55.8% was the previous quarter, 52.8% the WPR and 58.2% the rural LFPR.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for January–March 2026: 1. The share of rural workers engaged in agriculture rose compared with the previous quarter. 2. On average, 57.4 crore persons aged 15 years and above were employed during the quarter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The rural share of workers in agriculture fell to 55.8% from 58.5% in October–December 2025.
Before becoming Chairman & Managing Director of SAIL in May 2026, Dr Ashok Kumar Panda served as the company's
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Correct answer: D — Director (Finance)
Panda was SAIL's Director (Finance) and also held additional charge of Director (Commercial) for about nine months.
SAIL's next phase of capacity expansion, mentioned by its new CMD in May 2026, targets what capacity?
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Correct answer: B — 35 MTPA
Dr Panda said SAIL is on track for its next phase of capacity expansion to 35 MTPA.
National Technology Day, observed on 11 May, recalls which event of 1998?
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Correct answer: A — The nuclear tests at Pokhran
PM Modi recalled on 11 May 2026 that the nuclear tests at Pokhran on this day in 1998 introduced the world to India's capabilities.
The single-tube multiplex real-time RT-PCR for dengue, chikungunya and Zika, licensed by ICMR on National Technology Day 2026, was developed at which institute?
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Correct answer: C — ICMR-NIV
The multiplex RT-PCR was developed at ICMR–National Institute of Virology (NIV); NIRWoH developed the PSP94 ELISA and NIRBID the Factor VIII inhibitor test.
In which state was the girder-laying ceremony of the Indian Coast Guard's 4th, 5th and 6th Air Cushion Vehicles held on 11 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Goa
The ceremony was held at the Rassaim Yard of Chowgule Shipyard, Goa.
With which firm did the Indian Coast Guard sign the contract for six indigenous Air Cushion Vehicles on 24 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Chowgule & Company Private Limited
The contract for six indigenously built ACVs was signed with Chowgule & Company Private Limited, Goa, on 24 October 2024.
On which dates will India host the 1st International Big Cat Summit in New Delhi, as announced in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 1–2 June 2026
Bhupender Yadav said India will host the 1st International Big Cat Summit on 1 and 2 June in New Delhi.
Which of the following is NOT among the seven big cats that the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) works to protect?
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Correct answer: C — Clouded leopard
IBCA covers the tiger, lion, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar and puma; the clouded leopard is not in the list.
Where did Nitin Gadkari roll out a first-of-its-kind barrier-less MLFF toll plaza on 11 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Mundka–Bakkarwala on UER-II, Delhi NCR
The barrier-less toll plaza was rolled out at Mundka–Bakkarwala on Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) in Delhi NCR.
Consider the following statements about the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system launched in May 2026: 1. It combines Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with FASTag-based electronic toll collection. 2. A vehicle with insufficient FASTag balance is stopped at a barrier and made to pay in cash. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. MLFF has no barriers; users with insufficient or invalid FASTag get an E-Notice, and non-payment may lead to FASTag blacklisting and VAHAN curbs.
The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav held on 11 May 2026 marked how many years since the consecration of the restored Somnath Temple?
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Correct answer: B — 75 years
The Mahotsav marked 75 years since the restored temple was consecrated in 1951; 1,000 years refers to Mahmud of Ghazni's first attack in 1026 AD.
In 1951 the restored Somnath Temple was formally opened to devotees in the presence of which dignitary?
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Correct answer: D — President Dr Rajendra Prasad
PIB notes that in 1951 the restored temple was opened to devotees in the presence of the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad; Sardar Patel had taken up the restoration after Independence.
Consider the following statements about the Somnath Temple: 1. Mahmud of Ghazni first attacked and destroyed the temple in 1026 AD. 2. After Aurangzeb's desecration, a new temple was established by Ahilyabai Holkar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as recalled by the PM at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv (PIB, 11 January 2026).
The SEHAT Mission launched on 11 May 2026 is a joint national mission of which two bodies?
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Correct answer: B — ICAR and ICMR
SEHAT is a joint national mission of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Consider the following statements about the SEHAT Mission: 1. Its priority areas include evaluation of bio-fortified crops and occupational health of agricultural workers. 2. It was launched jointly by the Union Health Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. JP Nadda (Health) and Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Agriculture) launched it; priorities include bio-fortified crops, integrated farming and farmers' occupational health.
India's first integrated CCUS field laboratory was inaugurated on 11 May 2026 at which institution?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Bombay
Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated India's first integrated CCUS field laboratory at IIT Bombay under Bharat Innovates 2026.
The geological CO₂ sequestration drilling begun under the IIT Bombay CCUS field laboratory assesses storage potential in which rock formation?
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Correct answer: C — Basalt of the Deccan Traps
The project is India's first pilot-scale scientific drilling to assess CO₂ storage in basalt formations of the Deccan Traps.
The Forum of Regulators, which held its 100th meeting on 11 May 2026, was established in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2005
FOR was established in 2005; the 100th meeting marked 21 years of its journey. (2003 is the year of the Electricity Act.)
Consider the following statements about the Forum of Regulators (FOR): 1. It brings together the Central and State electricity regulatory commissions. 2. The Chairperson of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission also heads FOR. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. FOR is a statutory platform of Central and State ERCs, and Jishnu Barua is Chairperson of CERC/FOR.
The National Jute Board implements the Jute Crop Information System (with tools BHUVAN JUMP and PATSAN) in collaboration with ISRO and which body?
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Correct answer: D — Jute Corporation of India
NJB has implemented JCIS since 2023 with ISRO and the Jute Corporation of India.
C. Joseph Vijay, sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 10 May 2026, heads which party?
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Correct answer: A — Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
Vijay is the president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK); the VCK was among the parties that backed his government.
Who administered the oath of office to C. Joseph Vijay as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 10 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy; under Article 164(3) the Governor administers oaths to State ministers.
How many seats did the TVK win in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly in its first election in 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 108
TVK won 108 of 234 seats, short of the majority mark of 118, and formed the government with outside support.
Which of the following parties was NOT among those that backed the TVK government in Tamil Nadu in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — AIADMK
The TVK was backed by the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML; the AIADMK was not among its supporters.
Consider the following statements about Article 164 of the Constitution of India: 1. The Chief Minister of a State is appointed by the Governor. 2. The forms of the oaths of office and secrecy for State Ministers are set out in the Second Schedule. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Article 164(3) says the oath forms are set out in the Third Schedule; the Second Schedule deals with salaries and allowances.
The country's first functional PM MITRA Park, inaugurated on 10 May 2026, is located in which state?
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Correct answer: B — Telangana
The PM MITRA Park at Warangal, Telangana is the country's first functional PM MITRA Park.
At what total project cost was the PM MITRA Park at Warangal developed?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1,695.54 crore
The DPR was approved at a total project cost of ₹1,695.54 crore; ₹9,400 crore was the whole Hyderabad package and ₹6,000 crore the expected investment.
The 5F vision operationalised by PM MITRA parks stands for:
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Correct answer: A — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
The 5F vision is Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
Consider the following statements about the PM MITRA scheme: 1. The Ministry of Textiles approved seven PM MITRA parks in March 2023, including in Telangana and Gujarat. 2. The Warangal park was approved under the Brownfield category, making it eligible for ₹200 crore development capital support. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The seven parks are in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, UP, Gujarat and MP; Warangal (Kakatiya Mega Textile Park) was approved as Brownfield with ₹200 crore DCS and ₹300 crore CIS.
PMGSY-IV was formally launched on 10 May 2026 at Bhairunda, which lies in which district of Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: C — Sehore
Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched PMGSY-IV at Bhairunda in Sehore district; Vidisha was mentioned only for separate road approvals.
How many roads were approved for Madhya Pradesh under PMGSY-IV at the Bhairunda launch on 10 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 973
MP got approval for 973 roads of 2,117.52 km costing ₹1,763.08 crore; 987 is the number of habitations to benefit and 259 roads were for the Vidisha region.
Consider the following statements about PMGSY-IV: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet for the period FY 2026-27 to 2030-31. 2. Unconnected habitations with a population of 250+ in North-Eastern and hill States/UTs are eligible under it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The Cabinet approved PMGSY-IV on 11 September 2024 for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29; norms are 500+ in plains, 250+ in NE/hill/special areas and 100+ in LWE districts.
Which large state was honoured for connecting the highest number of habitations (31,287) in 25 years of PMGSY?
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Correct answer: D — Bihar
Bihar was first with 31,287 habitations, followed by Madhya Pradesh (17,493) and Odisha (16,990).
At the 10 May 2026 review, Amit Shah asked that the early warning system plan for high-risk lakes be expanded to cover at least how many lakes?
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Correct answer: B — 60
Shah said at least 60 lakes should be included in the plan that originally covered 30 high-risk lakes.
Following the Home Minister's earlier flood reviews, the advance period of rainfall and flood forecasts by IMD and the Central Water Commission was extended:
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Correct answer: C — From 3 days to 7 days
PIB notes that IMD and CWC extended the advance period of rainfall and flood forecasts from 3 days to 7 days.
Consider the following statements about the flood and heatwave review of 10 May 2026: 1. Amit Shah suggested using the CAMPA Fund to make environmental balance efforts more multi-dimensional. 2. He asked ministries to build new apps and portals for each disaster instead of using existing ones. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Shah asked officials to consolidate and improve existing apps and portals rather than create new ones.
Which trio won the women's recurve team gold for India at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai on 10 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod
The gold-winning team was Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Kumkum Mohod.
In the final of the women's recurve team event at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 (May 2026), India beat which team in a shoot-off?
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Correct answer: C — China
India beat hosts China 5-4 (28-26 in the shoot-off); South Korea was beaten in the semi-finals.
The Indian women's recurve team's gold in May 2026 was its first Archery World Cup women's team gold since which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2021
It was India's first World Cup women's team gold since 2021.
Which Vietnamese port did the Indian Navy's oceanographic research vessel INS Sagardhwani visit from 4 to 8 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Cam Ranh
INS Sagardhwani visited Cam Ranh, Vietnam from 4 to 8 May 2026.
During INS Sagardhwani's May 2026 visit to Vietnam, scientists from which DRDO laboratory engaged with the Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang?
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Correct answer: D — Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL)
Scientists from NPOL (Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory), DRDO, engaged with researchers of the Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang.
The book 'The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and the Lawful and the Awful', released by Amit Shah on 10 May 2026, was written by:
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Correct answer: C — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
The book is by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta; CJI Justice Surya Kant attended the release.
In the DST-supported facility 'SATHI' at Banaras Hindu University, reviewed in May 2026, what does SATHI stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute
SATHI stands for Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute, set up at BHU with DST support.
PM Modi attended which anniversary celebration of The Art of Living in Bengaluru on 10 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 45th
The PM took part in The Art of Living's 45th anniversary celebrations, which coincided with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's 70th year.