Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who graced the national event of Jal Mahotsav 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — President Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu led the Jal Kalash ceremony and felicitated community members at the national event.
Under which mission is the first National Jal Mahotsav campaign (8–22 March 2026) being held?
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Correct answer: A — Jal Jeevan Mission
The campaign by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation strengthens community participation in rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
How much emergency oil did IEA member countries agree to make available on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 400 million barrels
The 32 IEA members agreed to release 400 million barrels, the largest stock release in the agency's history; 1.2 billion barrels is the size of their public stocks.
What is India's status in the International Energy Agency, as stated by the Petroleum Ministry on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Associate Member
The Petroleum Ministry welcomed the IEA decision 'as an Associate Member of the International Energy Agency'.
Consider the following statements about the International Energy Agency: 1. It was created in 1974. 2. The March 2026 release was its first-ever coordinated emergency stock release. 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 March 2026 action was the sixth collective action, after 1991, 2005, 2011 and two in 2022.
Projects worth about how much were launched by PM Modi in Kochi, Kerala on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹11,000 crore
The PM launched projects worth about ₹11,000 crore in Kochi; ₹5,650 crore was the Tiruchirappalli package the same day.
What annual capacity is the polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery, whose foundation stone was laid on 11 March 2026, expected to have?
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Correct answer: C — 4 lakh tonnes
The unit is expected to produce four lakh tonnes a year for the packaging, textile and medical device industries.
Where is the 50-MW floating solar project whose foundation stone the PM laid during his Kerala visit on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — West Kallada
The 50-MW floating solar project is at West Kallada; the PM said Kerala's many water bodies give it great floating-solar potential.
How many member and signatory countries does the International Solar Alliance have, as stated on its Foundation Day on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 125
Pralhad Joshi said the ISA has emerged as a global platform with 125 member and signatory countries.
The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by India and which country at COP21 in Paris in 2015?
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Correct answer: B — France
India and France launched the ISA on 30 November 2015 on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris.
Consider the following statements about the International Solar Alliance: 1. Its Framework Agreement entered into force on 6 December 2017, making it a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation. 2. Its secretariat is located at the National Institute of Solar Energy campus in Gurugram, Haryana. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Framework Agreement, concluded at Marrakesh in November 2016, came into force on 6 December 2017 after the 15th ratification, and the secretariat is at the NISE campus, Gwal Pahari, Gurugram.
On how many route km has Kavach 4.0 been commissioned, as per the Railway Ministry on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 1,452 route km
Kavach 4.0 is commissioned on 1,452 route km of the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes; 24,427 route km is the length on which work has been taken up.
Kavach 4.0 has been commissioned on sections of which two high-density routes?
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Correct answer: B — Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah
The 1,452 route km cover the high-density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah routes.
Consider the following statements about Kavach: 1. It was adopted as the National Automatic Train Protection system in July 2020. 2. The Kavach version 4.0 specification was approved by the RDSO in July 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Kavach became the National ATP system in July 2020, and the RDSO approved the version 4.0 specification on 16 July 2024; the system is certified to SIL-4.
Bharat Petroleum's ₹3,700-crore City Gas Distribution network, whose foundation stone was laid on 11 March 2026, will serve which districts of Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: B — Nilgiris and Erode
The CGD network will supply piped natural gas to nearly nine lakh families in the Nilgiris and Erode districts.
Which facility, described by the PM as one of the world's largest of its kind, was dedicated to the nation on 11 March 2026 during his Tamil Nadu visit?
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Correct answer: D — IOCL Lube Blending Plant, Chennai
The PM dedicated Indian Oil Corporation's Lube Blending Plant in Chennai, saying more local lubricant production cuts imports.
How many kilometres of rural roads built under PMGSY did the PM inaugurate in Tiruchirappalli on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 370 km
The PM inaugurated 370 km of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Which event did Paralympic champion Praveen Kumar win on day one of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — High jump T44
Praveen Kumar, the Paris 2024 Paralympic champion, won the men's T44 high jump with 1.96 m.
In what time did Preeti Pal win the women's 100m T35/T37 at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 14.46 s
Preeti Pal won in 14.46 s; 16.25 s and 17.38 s were the silver and bronze times, and 13.22 s was Jayanti Behera's winning time in the T46/T47 race.
Who scored a hat-trick in India's 4-1 win over Wales at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Navneet Kaur
Navneet Kaur scored in the 29th, 34th and 55th minutes; Sakshi Rana scored India's other goal.
Which countries will co-host the 2026 FIH Hockey Women's World Cup, for which India qualified through the Hyderabad qualifiers?
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Correct answer: B — Belgium and the Netherlands
The 2026 Women's Hockey World Cup will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from 15 to 30 August.
Where was the March 2026 national workshop on minimising elephant deaths on railway tracks held?
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Correct answer: D — Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
The workshop was held on 10–11 March 2026 at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
How many railway stretches were prioritised for mitigation measures against elephant–train collisions, as reported in March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 77
Out of 127 stretches assessed (3,452.4 km), 77 stretches spanning 1,965.2 km in 14 states were prioritised, with 705 mitigation structures recommended.
According to the Environment Ministry, roughly what share of the global Asian elephant population lives in India?
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Correct answer: A — More than 60%
The Ministry said India harbours more than 60% of the global Asian elephant population.
Which body launched its first structured bug bounty programme with a panel of 20 ethical hackers in March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — UIDAI
UIDAI launched the programme to test the UIDAI website, the myAadhaar portal and the Secure QR Code app for vulnerabilities.
Where and when will Bharat Tex 2026, launched on 11 March 2026, be held?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 14–17 July 2026
Bharat Tex 2026, the third edition, will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 14 to 17 July 2026.
Under which scheme did the Centre approve MSP procurement of gram, urad, groundnut and sunflower worth over ₹894 crore in Telangana on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Price Support Scheme
The procurement of 1,25,855 tonnes for Rabi 2026 will be done under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
Up to when did the Union Cabinet extend the Jal Jeevan Mission on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — December 2028
The Cabinet extended JJM up to December 2028 and restructured it as JJM 2.0.
What is the enhanced total outlay of the Jal Jeevan Mission approved by the Cabinet on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹8.69 lakh crore
The total outlay is ₹8.69 lakh crore, of which central assistance is ₹3.59 lakh crore.
What is the name of the uniform national digital framework under JJM 2.0 that assigns every village a Sujal Gaon / Service Area ID?
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Correct answer: D — Sujalam Bharat
'Sujalam Bharat' is the digital framework; 'Jal Arpan' is the handover of schemes and 'Jal Utsav' the annual community review.
Consider the following statements about the Jal Jeevan Mission: 1. When it began in 2019, about 17% of rural households (3.23 crore) had tap water connections. 2. Under JJM 2.0, a gram panchayat may declare itself 'Har Ghar Jal' only after in-village operation and maintenance arrangements are in place. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 2019 baseline was 3.23 crore rural households (17%), and under the restructured mission a GP certifies 'Har Ghar Jal' only once the State has set up in-village O&M.
Up to what level of non-controlling beneficial ownership from land-border countries will be allowed under the automatic route after the Cabinet decision of 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 10%
Investors with non-controlling beneficial ownership from land-border countries of up to 10% will be permitted under the automatic route, with reporting to DPIIT.
Within how many days will proposals from land-border countries in specified sectors such as electronic components and polysilicon be decided, under the changes approved on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 60 days
Proposals in capital goods, electronic capital goods, electronic components, polysilicon and ingot-wafer will be processed and decided within 60 days.
The definition of 'Beneficial Owner' adopted in the amended FDI policy for land-border countries is drawn from which rules?
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Correct answer: D — Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005
The amendment uses the definition and criteria of Beneficial Ownership under the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005, applied at the investor-entity level.
Consider the following statements about Press Note 3 (2020): 1. It was issued on 17 April 2020 to curb opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. Under it, an entity of a country sharing a land border with India can invest only under the government route. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: PN3 (2020), dated 17 April 2020, was issued to curb opportunistic takeovers during COVID-19, and it put all investment from land-border-country entities, or where the beneficial owner is from such a country, under the government route.
Under the 10 March 2026 changes, who may revise the list of specified sectors eligible for 60-day decisions on land-border-country investment?
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Correct answer: A — A Committee of Secretaries under the Cabinet Secretary
The Committee of Secretaries under the Cabinet Secretary may revise the list of specified sectors.
What is the estimated wheat production for 2025–26 according to the Second Advance Estimates released on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 1,202.10 lakh tonnes
Wheat is estimated at 1,202.10 LMT, up 22.65 LMT from 1,179.45 LMT last year; 1,239.28 LMT is Kharif rice.
Which crop recorded record production in both the Kharif and Rabi seasons in the Second Advance Estimates for 2025–26?
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Correct answer: A — Maize
Kharif maize is a record 302.47 LMT and Rabi maize a record 159.03 LMT.
Which pulse has the largest estimated output in the Second Advance Estimates for 2025–26?
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Correct answer: D — Gram
Gram is estimated at 117.92 LMT, far above tur (34.55 LMT) and lentil (17.33 LMT).
Consider the following statements about the Second Advance Estimates of crop production for 2025–26: 1. They cover the Kharif, Rabi and summer seasons. 2. Yield estimates are based on Crop Cutting Experiments, previous trends and other factors. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Second Advance Estimates cover only Kharif and Rabi; the summer season will be included in the Third Advance Estimates. Statement 2 is correct.
Under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, fertilizer plants are assured at least what share of their average gas consumption of the last six months?
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Correct answer: C — 70%
Fertilizer plants, placed in 'Priority Sector-2', will get at least 70% of their average consumption over the last six months.
In which category have fertilizer plants been placed for natural gas supply, as announced on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Priority Sector-2
The Department of Fertilizers said fertilizer plants have been categorised under 'Priority Sector-2' for natural gas supply.
Which two railway sections will get a 4th line under the projects approved by the CCEA on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur
The CCEA approved the Sainthia–Pakur 4th line and the Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th line, worth about ₹4,474 crore.
By about how many kilometres will the two multitracking projects approved on 10 March 2026 increase the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: B — 192 km
The two projects across five districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand will add about 192 km to the network.
How many gram sabhas will get bus connectivity under Uttar Pradesh's Mukhyamantri Gram Parivahan Yojana-2026, approved on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 59,163
The scheme covers all 59,163 gram sabhas, including about 12,200 villages with no bus service so far.
What concession will private operators get under UP's Mukhyamantri Gram Parivahan Yojana-2026?
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Correct answer: D — Exemption from permits and taxes
Buses run by private operators on village routes will be exempt from permits and taxes to make the service viable.
Under UP's rural bus scheme, how often must operators serve each gram panchayat in their block?
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Correct answer: A — At least twice a day
Operators must provide service to each gram panchayat in the block at least twice a day, and buses halt in villages overnight.
The Badnawar–Petlawad–Thandla–Timarwani section approved for four-laning on 10 March 2026 lies on which National Highway?
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Correct answer: D — NH-752D
The 80.45-km section is on NH-752D in Madhya Pradesh and connects Ujjain to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
The NH-752D four-laning in Madhya Pradesh will also help manage traffic for which event in April 2028?
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Correct answer: A — Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Ujjain
The Ujjain corridor upgrade is expected to handle the surge in traffic during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Ujjain in April 2028.
What is 'NETRA', launched by the Jal Shakti Minister on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — An AI-enabled tracking and review platform of the National Dam Safety Authority
NETRA (NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI) is an AI-enabled platform developed by NDSA with the Navy's WESEE.
With which organisation did the NDSA develop its AI platform NETRA?
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Correct answer: B — WESEE, Indian Navy
NETRA was developed with the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE), an R&D laboratory of the Indian Navy.
Consider the following statements about the National Dam Safety Authority: 1. It was established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and came into force on 18 February 2022. 2. It frames dam safety policy, while the National Committee on Dam Safety implements it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 reverses the roles: the National Committee on Dam Safety evolves policies, and the NDSA is the regulator that implements them for specified dams.
Which document did Defence Minister Rajnath Singh release at South Block on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Defence Forces Vision 2047
Rajnath Singh released 'Defence Forces Vision 2047: A Roadmap for a Future-Ready Indian Military'.
Which headquarters articulated the 'Defence Forces Vision 2047' released in March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff
The blueprint was articulated by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
Which airport did the Union Cabinet approve for declaration as an international airport on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Madurai
The Cabinet approved declaring Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu an international airport.
The Madurai Airport, declared international by the Cabinet in March 2026, is described as a crucial gateway to which region?
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Correct answer: D — Southern Tamil Nadu
The government described Madurai Airport as a crucial gateway to southern Tamil Nadu, promoting tourism and pilgrimage.
What is the length of the greenfield corridor linking Jewar International Airport with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway spur, whose revised cost was approved on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 31.42 km
The corridor is 31.42 km long, of which about 11 km will be elevated; 80.45 km is the NH-752D project approved the same day.
On which mode will the Jewar Airport greenfield connectivity project be built?
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Correct answer: B — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The CCEA approved the project on Hybrid Annuity Mode in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Dr Partha Biswas assumed charge on 10 March 2026 as a Member of which body?
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Correct answer: C — National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Dr Partha Biswas took charge as a Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
Consider the following statements about the National Commission for Scheduled Castes: 1. It is a constitutional body under Article 338. 2. The Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003 created a separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the NCSC functions under Article 338, and the 89th Amendment Act, 2003 bifurcated the earlier joint commission, inserting Article 338A for the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
How much textile waste does India generate annually, according to the report released by the Textiles Ministry on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 70.73 lakh tonnes
The report 'Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India' estimates about 70.73 lakh tonnes of textile waste a year.
The world-first surgery performed at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi on 10 March 2026, implanting a Hydrus Microstent under aqueous angiography guidance, treats which eye disease?
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Correct answer: B — Glaucoma
The minimally invasive glaucoma surgery placed the Hydrus Microstent in Schlemm's canal to improve aqueous drainage, alongside cataract surgery.
With the birth of five cubs to Jwala announced on 9 March 2026, what is India's total cheetah population?
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Correct answer: C — 53
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said the total cheetah population in India had reached 53 with the arrival of Jwala's five cubs.
Jwala, the cheetah that gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in March 2026, was originally brought from which country?
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Correct answer: A — Namibia
Jwala is a Namibian cheetah and a third-time mother.
How many Indian-born cheetah cubs were surviving after Jwala's litter, according to the Environment Ministry on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 33
The number of Indian-born thriving cubs rose to 33; the litter was the 10th successful one on Indian soil.
On 28 February 2026, nine cheetahs were released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park. From which country were they received?
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Correct answer: D — Botswana
Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs (six females and three males) received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno on 28 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah: 1. It began on 17 September 2022 with the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia at Kuno National Park. 2. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Prime Minister released eight Namibian cheetahs (five females, three males) at Kuno on 17 September 2022 under Project Cheetah, the world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation; the cheetah had been declared extinct in India in 1952.
According to Piyush Goyal at the National IP Awards on 9 March 2026, India's Global Innovation Index ranking has improved from 81 to what?
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Correct answer: B — 38
Goyal said India's GII ranking improved from 81 to 38.
By how much did Piyush Goyal say patent filings in India have grown in a decade?
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Correct answer: C — 215%
He said India registered 215% growth in patent filings in a decade.
How many new innovation labs in schools, announced in the Union Budget, did Piyush Goyal refer to at the National IP Awards 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 50,000
Goyal referred to the government's initiative to establish 50,000 new innovation labs in schools, announced in the Union Budget.
Where did the Election Commission of India review poll preparedness for the West Bengal Assembly elections on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kolkata
The Commission held the review in Kolkata, meeting political parties and enforcement and district officials.
Which forms did the CEC say could still be filed for inclusion, deletion or correction in the West Bengal electoral rolls after the SIR?
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Correct answer: B — Forms 6, 7 and 8
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said Forms 6/7/8 can still be filed for any inclusions, deletions or changes.
Consider the following statements about Article 324 of the Constitution: 1. It vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 324(1) covers elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President, and the proviso to Article 324(5) protects the CEC with Supreme Court-judge-like removal.
With which organisation did NHAI prepare the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) report released on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO)
The report was prepared in coordination with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
The National Highways Green Cover Index is derived from which measurement made by high-resolution satellite sensors?
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Correct answer: A — Chlorophyll content
The assessment is derived from chlorophyll content detected through high-resolution satellite sensors.
Consider the following statements about the first NH-GCI assessment: 1. It covered about 30,000 km of national highways in 24 states. 2. It assessed green cover for the period July–December 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the first cycle covered about 30,000 km of national highways across 24 states for July–December 2024.