Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
According to the PLFS monthly bulletin for February 2026, the urban unemployment rate (15+ years, CWS) was:
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Correct answer: C — 6.6%
Urban unemployment fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January; rural unemployment was 4.2%.
PLFS monthly estimates of LFPR, WPR and unemployment rate are based on which approach?
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Correct answer: D — Current Weekly Status
The monthly bulletins present all-India estimates following the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
Consider the following about the PLFS bulletin for February 2026: 1. Female labour force participation rate (15+) rose compared with January 2026. 2. Rural unemployment rate fell sharply compared with January 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: female LFPR rose to 35.3% from 35.1%. Statement 2 is wrong: rural unemployment was unchanged at 4.2%.
What did the Embassy of India in Tehran advise Indian nationals in Iran on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Not to approach or cross any land border without prior coordination with the Embassy
The Embassy advised Indians not to approach or attempt to cross any land border of Iran without prior and explicit coordination with it.
After the US–Israeli strikes of 28 February 2026, the Indian Embassy in Tehran first advised Indians in Iran to:
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Correct answer: A — Remain indoors as far as possible and avoid unnecessary movement
The Embassy advised Indians to remain indoors wherever possible and avoid unnecessary movement, and repeated this on 3 March.
What was India's annual WPI inflation rate (provisional) for February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2.13%
WPI inflation was 2.13% in February 2026, up from 1.81% in January; 3.27% was the inflation in primary articles.
Consider the following about WPI data for February 2026: 1. The 'Fuel & Power' group recorded negative annual inflation. 2. 'Manufactured Products' have the largest weight among the three major groups of the WPI. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Fuel & Power inflation was –3.78%, and Manufactured Products carry a weight of 64.23%.
The Jaipur–Kishangarh section, for whose six-laning NHAI received nine bids in March 2026, lies on which National Highway?
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Correct answer: D — NH-48
The around 90-km Jaipur–Kishangarh section is on NH-48 in Rajasthan.
Consider the following about the Jaipur–Kishangarh six-laning project: 1. It will be implemented on Hybrid Annuity Mode. 2. It requires large-scale additional land acquisition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the project will be built on EPC mode and needs no additional land acquisition.
Who delivered the keynote address at the CCI's 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Rajiv Gauba
NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba delivered the keynote; CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur gave the special address.
Consider the following about the CCI's National Conference on Economics of Competition Law: 1. The CCI has organised it every year since 2016. 2. The March 2026 conference was its 11th edition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the conference has been held annually since 2016, and the 16 March 2026 event was the 11th edition.
Which body revoked GRAP Stage-I across Delhi-NCR on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas
The GRAP sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked all Stage-I actions across NCR.
Delhi's daily average AQI on 16 March 2026, when GRAP Stage-I was revoked, was recorded at:
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Correct answer: A — 119
Delhi's AQI improved from 175 on 15 March to 119 on 16 March 2026, in the 'Moderate' category.
In how many phases will the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election be held, as announced by the ECI on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Two
West Bengal votes in two phases, on 23 April and 29 April 2026; Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vote in a single phase.
On which date will votes be counted for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry?
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Correct answer: D — 4 May 2026
Counting for all five Assemblies is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
Which of the following Assemblies going to polls in 2026 has the largest number of seats?
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Correct answer: D — West Bengal
West Bengal has 294 seats, against 234 in Tamil Nadu, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam and 30 in Puducherry.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission fixed the maximum number of electors per polling station at:
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Correct answer: B — 1,200
The ECI press note of 15 March 2026 says there shall be a maximum of 1,200 electors in a polling station.
Consider the following about the 2026 Assembly elections announced on 15 March 2026: 1. The ECI conducts them in exercise of powers under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force only after the formal notification of each phase. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the ECI press note. Statement 2 is wrong: the Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately from the announcement of the schedule.
Along with the 2026 Assembly elections, the ECI announced bye-elections to how many Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
Bye-elections were announced for 8 Assembly constituencies spread across these six States.
The DA arrears that West Bengal announced on 15 March 2026 it would pay from March 2026 relate to which pay rules?
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Correct answer: C — ROPA 2009
The arrears are under the West Bengal Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) Rules, 2009.
To what amount did West Bengal raise the monthly honorarium of purohits and muezzins on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2,000
The honorarium was raised by ₹500, from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per month.
Assam's Guru Dakshina portal, launched on 15 March 2026, provides:
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Correct answer: D — A one-time financial settlement to teachers whose services were not provincialised
The portal gives a one-time financial settlement to eligible teachers of venture institutions whose institutions were provincialised but whose own services were not.
Consider the following about Assam's Guru Dakshina scheme: 1. It covers teachers left out under the Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2011 and a related 2017 Act. 2. Both teaching and non-teaching staff of venture institutions can apply. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: only teaching staff can apply, though retired teachers are eligible.
Which Indian boxer won gold in the women's 51 kg category at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
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Correct answer: A — Chandrika Pujari
Chandrika Pujari beat Uzbekistan's Mardonova Nazokat by unanimous decision in the women's 51 kg final; it was India's only gold.
What was India's medal tally at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
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Correct answer: A — 1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze
India won five medals: one gold (Chandrika Pujari), three silver (Gunjan, Joyshree Devi, L. Ambekar Meetei) and one bronze (Radhamani Longjam).
Which postal circle was praised on 15 March 2026 for ranking second in the country in overall revenue?
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Correct answer: A — Tamil Nadu
At the GDS Sammelan in Chennai, MoS Pemmasani lauded the Tamil Nadu postal circle for ranking second in overall revenue.
Consider the following about India Post, as recalled at the GDS Sammelan in Chennai on 15 March 2026: 1. India Post in its present form was established on 1 October 1854. 2. The General Post Office in Calcutta was set up in 1774. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the GPO in Calcutta was set up in 1774, and India Post in its present form was established on 1 October 1854.
According to the MoS Communications on 15 March 2026, India Post works through more than how many post offices?
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Correct answer: C — 1.6 lakh
India Post works through more than 1.6 lakh post offices, with about four lakh regular employees and over 2.5 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks.
What will be the FASTag Annual Pass fee for 2026-27, effective 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,075
NHAI revised the fee from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075 for 2026-27.
Consider the following about the FASTag Annual Pass: 1. The fee revision for 2026-27 was carried out under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. 2. The pass is valid for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings and is available to commercial as well as non-commercial vehicles. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the pass is valid for one year or 200 crossings, but only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag.
The FASTag Annual Pass, whose fee is being revised for 2026-27, was launched on:
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Correct answer: C — 15 August 2025
The FASTag Annual Pass was launched on 15 August 2025 and has over 56 lakh users.
The Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, inaugurated by Amit Shah on 15 March 2026, is located in:
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
Amit Shah inaugurated the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, built at about ₹675 crore, in Guwahati.
According to Amit Shah's address in Guwahati on 15 March 2026, the number of MBBS seats in Assam has risen from 726 to:
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Correct answer: C — 1,825
Shah said Assam now has 1,825 MBBS seats across 14 medical colleges, against 726 seats earlier.
Cancer centres at which two places in Assam were inaugurated by Amit Shah on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Golaghat and Tinsukia
The Golaghat and Tinsukia cancer centres, built at ₹135 crore each, were inaugurated along with the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital.
Nepanagar, where CM Mohan Yadav launched 127 development works worth ₹363.82 crore on 15 March 2026, is in which district of Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Burhanpur
Nepanagar is a tribal-majority Assembly constituency in Burhanpur district.
The tribal conference at Nepanagar on 15 March 2026, where CM Mohan Yadav launched 127 works, was organised under which campaign?
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Correct answer: B — Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
A tribal conference and workshop was held under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan at Nehru Stadium, Nepanagar.
What is the last date for submitting nominations for the Padma Awards 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 31 July 2026
Nominations opened on 15 March 2026 and close on 31 July 2026, online only on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
Consider the following about the Padma Awards: 1. They were instituted in 1954 and are announced on Republic Day every year. 2. Government servants working with PSUs are eligible, but doctors and scientists in government service are not. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 reverses the rule: government servants, including PSU staff, are not eligible, except doctors and scientists.
On which portal are nominations for the Padma Awards 2027 accepted?
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Correct answer: D — Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (awards.gov.in)
Nominations are received only online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, awards.gov.in.
At the Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup final on 15 March 2026, Rajnath Singh said which sport can be designated a 'Heritage Sport' of India?
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Correct answer: B — Polo
Rajnath Singh said polo, rooted in India's sporting traditions, can rightfully be designated a 'Heritage Sport' of India.
The Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, whose bhoomi pujan was performed on 14 March 2026, connects which two States?
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Correct answer: B — Meghalaya and Assam
The corridor runs from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam.
What was the total value of the projects launched by PM Modi in Silchar on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹23,550 crore
The Silchar projects were worth ₹23,550 crore; ₹22,864 crore is the approved cost of the Shillong–Silchar corridor alone, and ₹18,700 crore was the Kolkata package the same day.
Consider the following about the Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor: 1. It is being developed on the Hybrid Annuity Mode on NH-06. 2. The larger part of its 166.8-km length lies in Assam. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the CCEA approved it on Hybrid Annuity Mode on NH-06. Statement 2 is wrong: 144.8 km lies in Meghalaya and only 22 km in Assam.
Where is the Barak Valley's first agriculture college, mentioned by PM Modi in Silchar on 14 March 2026, located?
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Correct answer: A — Patharkandi
The PM said the establishment of the region's first agriculture college at Patharkandi would make the valley a hub for agricultural research.
Which team beat India 2-0 in the final of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — England
England beat India 2-0 through goals by Grace Balsdon and Elizabeth Neal; Scotland won bronze.
The 2026 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup, for which India qualified in March 2026, will be jointly hosted by:
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Correct answer: D — Belgium and the Netherlands
The World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from 14 to 30 August 2026.
Under the LPG Control Order amendment of 14 March 2026, which consumers must surrender their domestic LPG connections?
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Correct answer: D — Households with a piped natural gas (PNG) connection
Persons having both a PNG connection and a domestic LPG connection must surrender the LPG connection immediately.
Consider the following about the LPG Control Order amended on 14 March 2026: 1. The amendment was made under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 2. The parent order being amended is the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the amendment order, S.O. 1333(E), was issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and amends the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000.
Which ministry notified the amendment requiring PNG households to give up domestic LPG connections in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notified the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Amendment Order, 2026 on 14 March 2026.
The first Samriddhi Kendra under the DoT's Samriddh Gram Phygital Services pilot was inaugurated in which village?
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Correct answer: D — Umri, Guna (Madhya Pradesh)
Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the Samriddhi Kendra at Umri village in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The Samriddhi Kendra at Umri delivers integrated services mainly by leveraging broadband created under:
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Correct answer: A — BharatNet
The initiative uses high-speed broadband infrastructure created under BharatNet to deliver citizen-centric services in rural areas.
In which district of Jammu and Kashmir was a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park sanctioned on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Anantnag
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park for Anantnag district.
Which guidelines were released at the first National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries in Srinagar on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold-Water Fisheries
The 'Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold-Water Fisheries' were released at SKICC, Srinagar.
What is the toll-free helpline number for pro bono legal services highlighted at the Tele-Law workshop in Chennai on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 14454
The toll-free helpline 14454 offers pro bono legal services under the Tele-Law programme.
Consider the following about the Tele-Law programme discussed in Chennai on 14 March 2026: 1. It is run under the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme of the Department of Justice. 2. Article 39A of the Constitution, cited at the workshop, deals with equal justice and free legal aid. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Tele-Law is a DISHA programme of the Department of Justice, and the Madras High Court Chief Justice cited Articles 14, 21 and 39A — Article 39A being the Directive Principle on equal justice and free legal aid.
A new express train flagged off by PM Modi in Kolkata on 14 March 2026 runs between Anand Vihar Terminal and:
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Correct answer: B — Purulia
The new express connects Purulia in West Bengal with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi.
Which of the following was NOT among the six stations inaugurated as Amrit Bharat Stations in West Bengal on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bardhaman
The six stations were Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum and Siuri; Bardhaman was not among them.
Which expressway in West Bengal did PM Modi refer to while launching projects in Kolkata on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway
The PM said completion of the Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway would accelerate economic activity across West Bengal.
Under the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which body will verify captive status in cases of inter-state captive consumption?
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Correct answer: B — National Load Despatch Centre
From 1 April 2026, inter-state captive status will be verified by the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC); intra-state cases by a State/UT nodal agency.
Consider the following about the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026: 1. They amend Rule 3 of the Electricity Rules, 2005, which governs captive generating plants. 2. In a group captive plant set up by an Association of Persons, a member holding 26% or more ownership will have its entire consumption treated as captive. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Power's release of 14 March 2026.
How many Gaudhams does Chhattisgarh plan to set up under the Gaudham Yojana launched on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 1,460
The plan is 10 Gaudhams in every development block, or 1,460 in all; 29 were inaugurated in the first phase.
Under Chhattisgarh's Gaudham Yojana, all Gaudhams will be known by which name?
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Correct answer: B — Surabhi Gaudham
CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Gaudhams will be known as 'Surabhi Gaudham'.
The Delhi Declaration adopted at GCWAS-2026 on 14 March 2026 calls for establishing a:
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Correct answer: A — Global Alliance on Women in Agri-Food Systems
The Delhi Declaration calls for a Global Alliance on Women in Agri-Food Systems.
ICAR's planned national gender platform, announced at GCWAS-2026, will connect more than how many institutions?
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Correct answer: C — 900
Dr M. L. Jat said the platform will connect more than 900 institutions, including ICAR institutes, KVKs and agricultural universities.
How many of the seven coal gasification projects sanctioned for financial incentives under the Centre's scheme are in Maharashtra, as per the Coal Minister on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Four
G. Kishan Reddy said four of the seven sanctioned coal gasification projects are coming up in Maharashtra.
In which district of Maharashtra was the bhoomi pujan of two coal gasification projects held on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Chandrapur
The bhoomi pujan of the Greta Energy and New Era Cleantech projects was held in Chandrapur.
Under which law was Sonam Wangchuk detained before the Centre revoked his detention on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — National Security Act
Wangchuk was detained on 26 September 2025 under the National Security Act on an order of the District Magistrate, Leh.
Consider the following about the revocation of Sonam Wangchuk's detention: 1. The detention order had been issued by the District Magistrate, Leh. 2. The detention was revoked by an order of the Supreme Court. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Government/MHA revoked the detention by exercising powers under the National Security Act.
The pharmaceutical facility whose foundation was laid in Kathua, J&K, on 14 March 2026 will manufacture which key antibiotic intermediate?
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Correct answer: C — Amino Cephalosporanic Acid
Orchid Pharma's Kathua plant will make Amino Cephalosporanic Acid (ACA), a key intermediate for cephalosporin antibiotics that India mostly imports from China.
A ₹14-crore Khelo India multi-purpose indoor sports complex was founded on 14 March 2026 in which Karnataka district?
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Correct answer: B — Mandya
The foundation stone was laid at VC Farm, Mandya, on the campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences.