Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
CAQM revoked GRAP Stage-I across the NCR on 4 May 2026 after Delhi's average AQI improved to what level that day?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 88
Delhi's daily average AQI improved from 175 on 3 May to 88 on 4 May 2026 owing to rain, as per the CPCB bulletin.
Consider the following statements: 1. GRAP Stage-I in the NCR had been invoked by a CAQM order dated 16 April 2026. 2. The 130th meeting of CAQM's Enforcement Task Force on 4 May 2026 reviewed 174 inspections that found 61 violations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Stage-I was invoked on 16 April 2026, and the 130th ETF meeting reviewed 174 inspections (11–28 April) that found 61 violations.
During which period did the Union Health Ministry observe the nationwide Fire Safety Week in 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 4–10 May 2026
The Health Ministry observed Fire Safety Week from 4 to 10 May 2026.
Who, as Union Health Secretary, led the nationwide pledge on 'Fire Safety in Health Facilities' on 4 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Punya Salila Srivastava
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava led the nationwide pledge that opened Fire Safety Week.
Where did the Border Roads Organisation's Project Deepak celebrate its 66th Raising Day on 4 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Shimla
Project Deepak celebrated its 66th Raising Day at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about BRO's Project Deepak: 1. It was raised in 1971. 2. It built the historic Hindustan-Tibet Road and key stretches of the Manali-Leh axis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct: Project Deepak was raised in 1961, not 1971, and built the Hindustan-Tibet Road and key stretches of the Manali-Leh axis.
Which Indian Navy ship, deployed as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, entered Yangon Harbour on 4 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — INS Sunayna
The IOS Sagar, INS Sunayna, entered Yangon Harbour, Myanmar, on 4 May 2026.
The IOS Sagar deployment is in line with India's MAHASAGAR vision. What does MAHASAGAR stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across Regions
MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across Regions.
On 4 May 2026, Nitin Gadkari reviewed nine State BOT National Highway projects in Maharashtra covering a total length of about:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 527 km
The nine State BOT projects reviewed cover a total of 527 km of National Highway stretches in Maharashtra.
Who chaired the Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting held on 4 May 2026 to plan the International Day of Yoga 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Prataprao Jadhav
Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, chaired the meeting.
The national AI skilling programme for the creative sector run by the Ministry of I&B and IICT, offering 15,000 scholarships, was developed in partnership with:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Google and YouTube
The programme was developed in partnership with Google and YouTube and offers 15,000 scholarships.
Which revamped planning portal did the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launch at its national workshop on Panchayat Development Plans on 4 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — eGramSwaraj
The revamped eGramSwaraj planning portal was launched along with the PPC booklet for 2026-27 and the GPDP quality committee report.
Which Indian space startup built Mission Drishti, launched on 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — GalaxEye
Mission Drishti was built by Bengaluru-based startup GalaxEye.
Mission Drishti is described as the world's first OptoSAR satellite. What does it combine on a single platform?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Electro-optical sensors and synthetic aperture radar
Mission Drishti integrates electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors on one platform for all-weather, day-and-night imaging.
Aboard which launch vehicle was Mission Drishti launched on 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — SpaceX Falcon 9
Mission Drishti was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, California.
Consider the following statements about Mission Drishti: 1. The satellite weighs about 190 kg. 2. It was launched from Sriharikota. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: the 190-kg satellite was launched from Vandenberg, California, not Sriharikota.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each person killed in the Delhi Shahdara fire of 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
In which Delhi locality did a residential building fire kill nine people on 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Vivek Vihar
The fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar Phase-I, Shahdara district, killing nine people.
Which body conducted the NEET UG 2026 examination on 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — National Testing Agency
NEET UG 2026 was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
About how many candidates had registered for NEET UG 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 23 lakh
NEET UG 2026 was held for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates.
The LPG carrier MT Sarv Shakti, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz with 46,313 MT of Indian LPG in May 2026, was expected to arrive at which Indian port?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Visakhapatnam
MT Sarv Shakti was expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on 13 May 2026.
As a West Asia rationalisation measure, the domestic LPG booking interval in urban areas was raised from 21 days to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 25 days
The urban booking interval was raised from 21 to 25 days; in rural areas it goes up to 45 days.
CINBAX-II 2026 is a bilateral military exercise between India and which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Cambodia
CINBAX-II is the second edition of the India–Cambodia bilateral military exercise, held in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia.
The Indian Army contingent for CINBAX-II 2026 was drawn mainly from a battalion of which regiment?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Maratha Light Infantry
India's 120 personnel were mainly from a battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.
Consider the following statements about exercise CINBAX-II 2026: 1. It is conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the UN mandate. 2. The Cambodian contingent comprises 160 personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the exercise follows Chapter VII of the UN mandate, and Cambodia fielded 160 personnel against India's 120.
The Indore–Pithampur Economic Corridor, whose first phase's foundation stone was laid on 3 May 2026, is expected to generate employment for about how many people?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 6 lakh
The corridor is expected to create employment for 6 lakh people.
Consider the following statements about the Indore–Pithampur Economic Corridor: 1. Its first-phase foundation stone was laid at Nainod village, Indore, on 3 May 2026. 2. It is planned over about 1,316 hectares. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the foundation was laid at Nainod village, and the corridor is planned over about 1,316 hectares with a 75-metre-wide main road.
Where did Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurate a 100-bedded ESIC hospital on 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Doddaballapur
Mandaviya inaugurated the 100-bedded ESIC hospital at Doddaballapur and virtually laid the foundation stone of another at Bellary.
As cited by Mansukh Mandaviya in May 2026 from the ILO, India's social security coverage has risen from 19% in 2015 to over:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 64%
Coverage rose from 19% in 2015 to over 64%, with more than 40 crore workers now covered, as noted by the ILO.
Where did the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy hold its 'Run for Sun' on International Sun Day, 3 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi
The 'Run for Sun', with 2 km and 5 km races, was held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
How many rooftop solar installations were completed under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in April 2026, the highest in a single month?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2.7 lakh
A record 2.7 lakh rooftop solar installations were completed in April 2026, taking the total under the scheme to 30 lakh.
Consider the following statements: 1. India's cumulative solar capacity was 150 GW as of 31 March 2026, up from 2.82 GW in 2014. 2. India is ranked second globally in installed renewable energy capacity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 150 GW by 31 March 2026, but India ranks third, not second, in installed renewable energy capacity.
On 3 May 2026, MeitY clarified that there is no plan to change Aadhaar's look by the end of the year to show only:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — A photo and a QR code
MeitY said reports that Aadhaar would show just a photo and a QR code were not correct and there is no such plan.
In May 2026, a new GST Bhawan for the CBIC's commissionerate was inaugurated at Niti Vihar in which state capital?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Itanagar
The new GST Bhawan was inaugurated at Niti Vihar, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on 3 May 2026.
Which organisation developed the indigenous Cell Broadcast System launched on 2 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
CBS was developed by C-DOT under the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with NDMA and MHA.
The Cell Broadcast System launched in May 2026 is integrated with which CAP-based alert platform?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — SACHET
CBS is integrated with the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based SACHET platform for standardised dissemination of alerts.
Consider the following statements about the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) launched in May 2026: 1. Alerts can be geo-targeted down to the level of individual cell towers. 2. Users cannot disable CBS alerts on their phones. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: CBS can target individual cell towers or clusters, and its alerts cannot be disabled by users.
Which award for disaster management was presented at the launch of the Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia presented the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to individuals and organisations at the launch.
Who was appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati on 2 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Prasoon Joshi
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting appointed Prasoon Joshi as Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
Consider the following statements about Prasar Bharati: 1. It was established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990. 2. It became operational in the same year the Act was passed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous broadcaster set up under the 1990 Act, but it became operational only in 1997.
Before being appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati in May 2026, Prasoon Joshi had headed which body since August 2017?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Central Board of Film Certification
Prasoon Joshi had served as Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Mumbai, since August 2017.
Which state launched the 'ShaktiShree' mobile app for the safety of girl students in higher education institutions on 2 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ShaktiShree app in Bhubaneswar.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's ShaktiShree initiative: 1. It is a programme of the state's Higher Education Department for girl students across 16 state universities and 730 government and aided institutions. 2. The ShaktiShree app connects users with institutional Internal Complaints Committees. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: ShaktiShree is the Higher Education Department's empowerment and self-defence programme covering 16 state universities and 730 institutions, and the app links users to Internal Complaints Committees.
How many Police Observers did the Election Commission deploy around counting centres for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 77
ECI deployed 77 Police Observers along with 165 Additional Counting Observers.
Consider the following statements about the observers deployed by ECI in West Bengal in May 2026: 1. They were appointed under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. Police Observers may enter the counting hall on counting day to supervise counting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The appointments were made under Article 324 and Section 20B of the RP Act, 1951; Police Observers shall not enter the counting hall under any circumstance.
According to the IMD extended-range forecast cited on 2 May 2026, which weeks of May 2026 were expected to be relatively hotter, with heatwave conditions?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 8–14 May and 22–28 May
Relatively higher temperatures were expected in the second (8–14 May) and fourth (22–28 May) weeks; the first and third weeks were expected to be normal to below normal.
Consider the following statements based on the IMD outlook for May 2026 cited by the government: 1. ENSO-neutral conditions were prevailing. 2. Above-normal maximum temperatures were expected over the entire country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: ENSO-neutral conditions prevailed, and a large part of the country was expected to see normal to below-normal temperatures.
Who among the following were appointed full-time Members of NITI Aayog in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — R. Balasubramaniam and Joram Aniya
Dr. R. Balasubramaniam and Dr. Joram Aniya were appointed full-time Members of NITI Aayog; the PM congratulated them on 2 May 2026.
NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission, was constituted through which of the following?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — A Cabinet resolution dated 1 January 2015
NITI Aayog was constituted by a Cabinet resolution dated 1 January 2015; like the Planning Commission (set up by a Cabinet resolution in 1950), it is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body.
Consider the following statements about the composition of NITI Aayog as per its 2015 Cabinet resolution: 1. It can have a maximum of four part-time Members, on a rotational basis. 2. It can have a maximum of four ex officio Members from the Union Council of Ministers, nominated by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct: the resolution provides for up to 2 (not 4) rotational part-time Members and up to 4 ex officio Members from the Union Council of Ministers nominated by the PM.
IMNEX and IMCOR, mentioned during the Indian Navy chief's May 2026 visit, refer to India's naval engagements with which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Myanmar
IMNEX is the India–Myanmar Naval Exercise and IMCOR the Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol.
Who is the Chief of the Naval Staff who visited Myanmar from 2 to 5 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, made a four-day official visit to Myanmar from 2 to 5 May 2026.
Which asana did more than 6,000 participants perform together at the Yoga Mahotsav in Hyderabad, entering the Asia Book of Records?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bhujangasana
Over 6,000 participants performed Bhujangasana in unison at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad.
Where will the Yoga Mahotsav marking the 25-day countdown to International Day of Yoga 2026 be held?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav announced that the 25-day countdown Yoga Mahotsav will be held at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
The Kolkata Metro power-system upgrade sanctioned in May 2026 will allow trains on the North–South Corridor to run at what headway?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2.5 minutes
The ₹671.72-crore upgrade will enable a 2.5-minute headway, up from the 5-minute frequency the 1980s system was designed for.
Bridge No. 520, sanctioned for reconstruction in May 2026, spans which river and lies in which railway division?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Damodar; Adra Division
Bridge No. 520 is the Damodar Bridge between Madhukunda and Damodar in Adra Division of South Eastern Railway.
The 'Shaurya' event addressed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on 2 May 2026 was held in the run-up to the first anniversary of which operation?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Operation Sindoor
'Shaurya' was organised in the run-up to the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor.
From which fund did the Kerala Cabinet on 2 May 2026 sanction ₹10 lakh each for families of uninsured Valparai accident victims?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund
The ₹10 lakh each will be paid from the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
At the DFS colloquium of DRAT and DRT heads on 2 May 2026, which revamped platform was noted for facilitating e-auctions and better asset visibility?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — BAANKNET
The revamped BAANKNET e-auction platform was noted for better asset visibility and value realisation.