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 chairs the committee set up by Rajasthan on 9 March 2026 to draft a law protecting the Khejri tree?
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Correct answer: B — Jogaram Patel
The six-member committee is chaired by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel.
The Khejri, for whose protection Rajasthan is drafting a special law, holds which status in the state?
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Correct answer: D — State tree
Khejri is the state tree of Rajasthan.
Within what time was Rajasthan's Khejri committee asked to submit its draft law?
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Correct answer: A — One month
The committee is to submit the proposed draft within one month.
The centenary of India–New Zealand sporting ties in 2026 traces back to which event of 1926?
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Correct answer: D — The Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand
The ties trace back to the historic 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand.
Who led the New Zealand sports delegation that met Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chris Bishop
The delegation was led by Chris Bishop, Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation; Ross Taylor and Raelene Castle were members, and Patrick John Rata is New Zealand's High Commissioner to India.
Who released the Ministry of Defence's Manual of Security Instructions 2026 on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rajesh Kumar Singh
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh released the manual at South Block, New Delhi.
What was the result of India's FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers women's Pool B match against Scotland in Hyderabad on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 2–2 draw
India drew 2–2 with Scotland, with goals from Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo, and stayed top of Pool B on goal difference.
Which institute organised the International Malaria Conference 2026 held in New Delhi from 7 to 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research
IMC 2026 was organised by ICMR–NIMR under the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Where did NITI Aayog hold the Regional Best Practices Seminar (South) under the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programmes on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
The seminar was held in Visakhapatnam, with officials from five southern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
DiaCue, the rapid diagnostic kit supported by the Technology Development Board in March 2026, is meant to distinguish between which conditions?
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Correct answer: A — Bacterial and non-bacterial childhood diarrhoea
DiaCue, by BabyCue Pvt Ltd of Cuttack, differentiates bacterial from non-bacterial diarrhoea in children.
At the post-Budget webinar on health on 9 March 2026, J.P. Nadda said the government targets how many skilled allied healthcare professionals?
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Correct answer: A — One lakh
Nadda said the government targets one lakh skilled allied healthcare professionals to boost diagnostics and public health.
India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final on 8 March 2026 by defeating which team?
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Correct answer: D — New Zealand
India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Where was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final played?
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Correct answer: A — Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The final was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026.
Who was named Player of the Match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final?
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Correct answer: B — Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah took 4 for 15 and was Player of the Match; Sanju Samson, who scored 89, was Player of the Tournament.
What total did India post in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand?
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Correct answer: C — 255/5
India scored 255 for 5 in 20 overs and bowled New Zealand out for 159 in 19 overs.
Consider the following statements about India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 win: 1. India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title. 2. India became the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the ICC said India became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup, the first to win it at home and the first to win three titles.
Which Delhi Metro line became India's first fully operational ring metro after the corridor inaugurated on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pink Line
The 12.3-km Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur stretch completed the Pink Line loop, taking it to about 71.56 km and making it India's first fully operational ring metro.
What was the approximate total value of the projects the Prime Minister inaugurated and began in Delhi on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹33,500 crore
The projects were worth about ₹33,500 crore, of which Metro projects were about ₹18,300 crore and GPRA projects ₹15,200 crore.
The Magenta Line corridor inaugurated in Delhi on 8 March 2026 runs between which two points?
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Correct answer: B — Deepali Chowk and Majlis Park
The 9.9-km Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park corridor is on the Magenta Line; Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur is the Pink Line stretch.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three Delhi Metro Phase V-A corridors whose foundation stone was laid on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rithala–Narela
The three Phase V-A corridors (about 16.1 km) are R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha, Aerocity–IGI Terminal-1 and Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj.
Who was chosen as Iran's new Supreme Leader in March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Mojtaba Khamenei
The Assembly of Experts chose Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, on 8 March 2026.
Which Iranian body chose the new Supreme Leader in March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Assembly of Experts
The Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics, chose Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader.
How many members does Iran's Assembly of Experts, which chose the Supreme Leader in March 2026, have?
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Correct answer: C — 88
Reuters and Al Jazeera describe the Assembly of Experts as an 88-member body of clerics.
Consider the following statements about Iran's leadership change in March 2026: 1. The Assembly of Experts described Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 2. Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen by Iran's Guardian Council. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Assembly's statement called him 'the third Leader'; he was chosen by the Assembly of Experts, not the Guardian Council.
Which initiative of the Union Budget 2026–27, mentioned by President Murmu on Women's Day 2026, aims to give better markets to products of self-help groups and rural women?
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Correct answer: B — SHE-Mart
The President said the SHE-Mart initiative launched in the Union Budget 2026–27 will provide better markets for SHG and rural women's products.
According to President Murmu on 8 March 2026, how many women-owned MSMEs are active on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?
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Correct answer: D — Over two lakh
She said more than two lakh women-owned MSMEs are active on GeM.
According to PM Modi on 8 March 2026, the national resolve to create how many 'Lakhpati Didis' has been fulfilled?
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Correct answer: C — 3 crore
The PM said the resolve to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis had been fulfilled and set a new goal of 3 crore more.
How many women did PM Modi say are now empowered through Self-Help Groups, in his Women's Day address of 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 10 crore
He said over 10 crore women are now empowered through Self-Help Groups.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana announced in the Budget 2026–27, how much will Scheduled Caste women receive per month?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,500
SC women will get ₹1,500 a month, while other eligible adult women will get ₹1,000.
What outlay has Punjab earmarked for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana in 2026–27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹9,300 crore
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema earmarked ₹9,300 crore for the scheme in 2026–27.
Who presented the Punjab Budget 2026–27 in the state Assembly on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Harpal Singh Cheema
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the Budget on International Women's Day.
Which of the following Autonomous District Councils of Assam received Fifteenth Finance Commission grants announced on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bodoland Territorial Council
The three ADCs were the Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council; the others listed are in Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
How much was released to Assam's rural local bodies as the second instalment of XV-FC untied grants for 2025–26?
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Correct answer: A — ₹256.60 crore
₹256.60 crore was the second untied instalment; another ₹42.70 crore of the withheld first instalment went to three ADCs, taking the total over ₹299 crore.
Consider the following statements: 1. Article 243G of the Constitution allows a State Legislature to endow Panchayats with powers for schemes, including those on matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule. 2. Fifteenth Finance Commission untied grants to rural local bodies can be used for salaries and other establishment costs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Article 243G covers devolution to Panchayats including Eleventh Schedule matters, but XV-FC untied grants are for location-specific needs under the 29 Eleventh Schedule subjects and exclude salaries and establishment costs.
From which district did C.R. Paatil launch Jal Mahotsav 2026 on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Navsari, Gujarat
Paatil marked the Shubharambh from Rahej village in Gandevi block of Navsari district, Gujarat; the two Ministers of State joined from Sindhudurg and Muzaffarpur.
Jal Mahotsav, the campaign of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, is to be observed every year during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 8–22 March
Jal Mahotsav will be observed annually from 8 to 22 March, beginning with Jal Arpan Diwas on International Women's Day.
What is the name of the campaign launched by the Income Tax Department in March 2026 to guide restaurants to correct their returns?
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Correct answer: B — SAKSHAM NUDGE
The department started the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign; in phase one, messages go to 63,000 identified restaurants.
The Income Tax Department's survey of restaurants on 8 March 2026 revealed preliminary sales suppression of about how much?
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Correct answer: C — ₹408 crore
The survey of 62 restaurants in 46 cities across 22 states revealed suppression of sales of about ₹408 crore.
Under which provision of the Income Tax Act were restaurants encouraged to file updated returns in the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign?
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Correct answer: D — Section 139(8A)
Taxpayers were encouraged to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act before 31 March 2026.
What target of Lakhpati Didis has Tripura set, as noted by the Vice-President on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1.35 lakh
The Vice-President noted that Tripura has set a target of creating 1.35 lakh Lakhpati Didis.
India's women's hockey team opened their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign in Hyderabad on 8 March 2026 with a 4–0 win over which team?
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Correct answer: B — Uruguay
India beat Uruguay 4–0 in their first Pool B match at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Ground.
The 'Shakti Walk #SheLeadsBharat' held on 8 March 2026 to mark International Women's Day took place on which route?
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Correct answer: C — India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path
Over 3,000 women walked about 2 km from India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path.
In the sports programme ASMITA, under which a girls' athletics league was launched at 250 locations on 8 March 2026, what does ASMITA stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action
ASMITA stands for Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action.
Janaushadhi Diwas, whose 8th edition was observed in 2026, falls on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 7 March
The 8th Janaushadhi Diwas was observed on 7 March 2026, closing Janaushadhi Saptah 2026.
Which body implements the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)?
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Correct answer: A — Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)
PMBI, under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, runs PMBJP and organised Janaushadhi Saptah 2026.
What target has the government set for the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 25,000
Over 18,000 Kendras are open; the target is 25,000 by March 2027 through a franchise-based model.
Janaushadhi Suvidha oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins are sold at what price per pad?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1
Suvidha napkins, introduced in 2019, are priced at ₹1 per pad.
Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: 1. Medicines are procured only from manufacturers compliant with WHO Good Manufacturing Practices, and each batch is tested at NABL-accredited laboratories. 2. Kendra operators receive a trade margin of 20% on the MRP of each drug (excluding taxes). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PIB backgrounder: WHO-GMP sourcing with NABL batch testing, and a 20% trade margin for operators.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a new airport for Rajasthan's Hadoti region on 7 March 2026. Which city is it meant to serve?
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Correct answer: D — Kota
The Kota–Bundi airport at Shambhupura will serve Kota and the wider Hadoti region.
Which of the following districts is NOT part of the Hadoti region named by the Prime Minister at the Kota airport ceremony?
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Correct answer: A — Ajmer
The PM named Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar as the Hadoti region; Ajmer is not part of it.
What is the approximate cost of the Kota–Bundi airport whose foundation stone was laid on 7 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1,500 crore
The PM said the airport would be built at a cost of about one and a half thousand crore rupees.
Consider the following statements about the Kota–Bundi airport ceremony of 7 March 2026: 1. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma were present at Shambhupura. 2. The Prime Minister said the airport had been promised in November 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Om Birla and CM Bhajanlal Sharma attended, and the PM recalled his November 2023 promise.
On 7 March 2026, Amit Shah launched projects worth over ₹1,132 crore in which city to mark four years of the Uttarakhand government?
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Correct answer: D — Haridwar
The projects were inaugurated and their foundation stones laid in Haridwar.
How many people in Uttarakhand were granted citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, according to Amit Shah on 7 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 162
Amit Shah said 162 people from Pakistan and Afghanistan were granted citizenship; 1,900 was the number of police constable jobs.
Under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, what is the target for training semiconductor engineers over 10 years?
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Correct answer: C — 85,000
The C2S programme aims to train 85,000 engineers in semiconductor design over 10 years.
Consider the following statements about the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme: 1. Chips designed by students are fabricated and tested at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali. 2. Under India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the programme is to be expanded to 500 academic institutions. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: student chips are made at SCL Mohali, and ISM 2.0 will take the programme from 315 to 500 institutions.
The Perumbalam bridge, inaugurated on 7 March 2026, is built across which water body?
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Correct answer: D — Vembanad Lake
The Perumbalam bridge spans Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha district, Kerala.
Consider the following statements about the Perumbalam bridge: 1. It is about 1,155 metres long and has three bow-string arch spans so that boats can pass. 2. It was funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 1,155.40-m bridge has three 55-m bow-string arch spans and was built for ₹100 crore with KIIFB funding.
India's first Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant, reviewed on 7 March 2026, is being built at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Kavaratti
The OTEC-powered desalination plant is being developed by NIOT at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
On how many islands of Lakshadweep are NIOT's Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants operational?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
Officials told the Minister that LTTD plants are operational across eight islands.
Consider the following statements about Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) in Lakshadweep: 1. It uses the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep-sea water drawn from about 350–400 metres. 2. It requires an external fuel-fired boiler to heat the seawater. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: LTTD relies on the natural temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water, not on fuel-fired heating.
The Punjab Cabinet on 7 March 2026 approved a world-class university named after Sri Guru Teg Bahadur at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Cabinet approved the Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Sri Anandpur Sahib and its draft Bill.
The Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 approved by the Punjab Cabinet comes under which flagship initiative?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Udyog Kranti
The policy and its sector-specific schemes were approved under the 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' initiative.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 9th International Santal Conference on 7 March 2026 at which place?
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Correct answer: D — Darjeeling
The President graced the conference at Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The Ol Chiki script, used for Santali, was invented in 1925 by whom?
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Correct answer: A — Pandit Raghunath Murmu
The President said Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented Ol Chiki in 1925; its centenary was celebrated recently.
The Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003 added which languages to the Eighth Schedule?
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Correct answer: B — Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali
The 92nd Amendment inserted Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali, taking the Eighth Schedule to 22 languages.
The Tapi-Karjan Link Pipeline Lift Irrigation Scheme inaugurated in Gujarat on 7 March 2026 draws water from which reservoir?
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Correct answer: D — Ukai
The scheme is based on the Ukai reservoir project and lifts water through pipelines to tribal villages at higher elevations.
The Tapi-Karjan lift irrigation scheme mainly benefits tribal villages in which two talukas?
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Correct answer: A — Umarpada and Dediapada
It irrigates 53,750 acres in 73 tribal villages of Umarpada (Surat) and Dediapada (Narmada) talukas.