Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The 62nd edition of 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' on 22 February 2026 was organised with which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — ESIC
The 62nd edition was organised with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) at over 1,000 locations.
On 22 February 2026, PM Narendra Modi replied on X to which leader, saying he looked forward to talks during his upcoming visit?
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Correct answer: D — Benjamin Netanyahu
PM Modi replied to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and said he looked forward to discussions during his upcoming Israel visit.
India signed an MoU on postal sector cooperation with which country during its President's State Visit in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Brazil
India and Brazil signed the postal MoU during President Lula da Silva's State Visit to India.
In which city was the 30th Divya Kala Mela inaugurated on 22 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dehradun
The 30th Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated at Rangers Ground, Dehradun, by Uttarakhand Governor Gurmit Singh.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held talks with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 21 February 2026. Which country is described by India as its largest trading partner in Latin America?
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Correct answer: D — Brazil
PM Modi's press statement on 21 February 2026 said Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America.
During the Modi–Lula talks of 21 February 2026, India and Brazil committed to take bilateral trade beyond what level over the next five years?
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Correct answer: D — $20 billion
PM Modi said both countries are committed to taking bilateral trade beyond twenty billion dollars over the next five years.
Consider the following statements about the India–Brazil talks of 21 February 2026: 1. India is working towards a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil. 2. The leaders backed expansion of the India–MERCOSUR trade agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Modi said India is working towards a DPI Centre of Excellence in Brazil and that expansion of the India–MERCOSUR agreement will strengthen economic ties.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted Brazilian President Lula at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 21 February 2026 and congratulated him on Brazil hosting which two summits in 2025?
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Correct answer: B — BRICS and COP-30
The President congratulated Lula on the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit and the COP-30 Summit in Brazil in 2025.
On International Mother Language Day, 21 February 2026, the Vice President released the updated Constitution of India in which two languages?
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Correct answer: D — Gujarati and Tamil
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the updated Constitution in Gujarati and Tamil, along with the 8th edition of the Legal Glossary (English–Hindi).
Which department prepared the updated Gujarati and Tamil editions of the Constitution and the Legal Glossary released on 21 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Legislative Department
The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice brought out the editions; its Secretary Dr. Rajiv Mani described the work.
Consider the following statements about International Mother Language Day (21 February): 1. It traces its origin to the 1952 struggle in the then East Pakistan to protect the Bengali language against the imposition of Urdu. 2. The first Santhali edition of the Constitution was released on this Day in 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The first Santhali edition of the Constitution was released by the President on 25 December 2025, not on 21 February 2026.
Where were the 87th Raising Day celebrations of the CRPF held on 21 February 2026, the first time its Day Parade was held in the North-East?
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
Amit Shah attended the 87th Raising Day of the CRPF in Guwahati, Assam — the first CRPF Day Parade in the North-East.
Consider the following statements made at the CRPF's 87th Raising Day (21 February 2026): 1. The CRPF has 248 battalions and 3,25,000 personnel. 2. Operation Black Forest was cited as a CRPF operation against Naxalism. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Amit Shah said CRPF has 248 battalions and 3,25,000 personnel and praised its role in Operation Black Forest against Naxalism.
India's CDSCO exchanged an MoU on pharmaceutical and medical product regulation with which Brazilian agency on 21 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ANVISA
The MoU was exchanged between India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA).
Consider the following statements about the India–Brazil steel-sector MoU of 21 February 2026: 1. It was signed by India's Ministry of Steel with Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy. 2. PIB put India's current steelmaking capacity at 300 million tonnes. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB put India's current steelmaking capacity at 218 million tonnes, not 300.
CAQM's Statutory Direction No. 98 of 21 February 2026 set what uniform particulate matter emission limit for identified industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: B — 50 mg/Nm³
The direction set a uniform PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³ for the targeted industries across Delhi-NCR.
From which date does CAQM's 50 mg/Nm³ particulate emission limit apply to large and medium industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: B — 1 August 2026
Large and medium industries must comply from 1 August 2026; the remaining industries from 1 October 2026.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): 1. It is a statutory body under an Act of Parliament passed in 2021. 2. It was set up under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as a sub-committee of CPCB. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. CAQM is constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021), not as a CPCB sub-committee.
Where did Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda launch the indigenous Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine on 21 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Central Research Institute, Kasauli
The Td vaccine was launched at the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.
How many doses of the Td vaccine will CRI Kasauli supply to the Universal Immunization Programme by April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 55 lakh
With the formal launch, CRI Kasauli will supply 55 lakh doses to the Universal Immunization Programme by April 2026.
India and Brazil exchanged an access agreement for India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) on 21 February 2026. Which Indian body signed it?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR
The agreement was between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Brazil.
With Brazil's INPI joining in February 2026, how many patent offices worldwide have access to India's TKDL database?
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Correct answer: B — Eighteen
PIB said that with the inclusion of INPI, Brazil, the number of patent offices worldwide with access to the TKDL rises to eighteen.
Consider the following statements about the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): 1. It was established in 2001 through a collaboration between CSIR and the Ministry of AYUSH. 2. It is available in five international languages, and patent offices get access through non-disclosure agreements. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. TKDL was set up in 2001 by CSIR and the Ministry of AYUSH; it is available in English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish, with access under non-disclosure agreements.
PM Modi joined the groundbreaking of the HCL–Foxconn semiconductor unit India Chip Pvt Ltd on 21 February 2026. Where is it located?
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Correct answer: A — Jewar (YEIDA), Uttar Pradesh
The OSAT facility is in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) area at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
The India Chip Pvt Ltd unit whose groundbreaking took place on 21 February 2026 involves an investment of over how much?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,700 crore
PIB said the OSAT facility will be set up with a total investment of over ₹3,700 crore.
Consider the following statements about India Chip Pvt Ltd: 1. It is being set up under the Modified Scheme for Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP). 2. It is a wafer fabrication (fab) unit rather than an assembly and test unit. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India Chip is an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility under the Modified ATMP scheme, not a fab.
The 5th Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC-26), held on 21 February 2026, brought together navy chiefs from how many Indian Ocean Region nations?
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Correct answer: C — 15
GMC-26 at the Naval War College, Goa brought together Chiefs of Navies and senior maritime leaders from 15 IOR nations.
The Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 was held in line with the PM's MAHASAGAR vision. What does MAHASAGAR stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
PIB expanded MAHASAGAR as 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions'.
Project Seabird, under whose Phase IIA housing was inaugurated on 21 February 2026, is linked to which naval base?
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Correct answer: A — Karwar
The Project Seabird Phase IIA residential accommodation was inaugurated at Naval Base Karwar, Karnataka.
Which ICMR institute will host the 2027 edition of SANVAD, ICMR's conclave for doctoral scholars?
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Correct answer: B — ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad
After the first edition at ICMR–NIMR, New Delhi (19–21 February 2026), the 2027 edition will be hosted by ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded on 20 February 2026 at which venue?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
The Summit concluded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw summarised its outcomes.
Which guiding principle underpins the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact adopted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya
The Declaration is guided by the principle 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' (welfare for all, happiness for all).
According to PIB, how many countries and international organisations had endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact as of 21 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 88
PIB's 24 February release said 88 had endorsed it as on 21 February 2026; three more (Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Guatemala) took the total to 91.
At the close of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, AI infrastructure-related investment pledges were said to have crossed what figure?
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Correct answer: B — $250 billion
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said infrastructure-related investment pledges crossed $250 billion, alongside about $20 billion in deep-tech venture commitments.
Consider the following statements about the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact: 1. It is structured around seven pillars, called 'Chakras'. 2. The Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI and the Trusted AI Commons were among the deliverables announced with it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Declaration rests on seven pillars (Chakras), and deliverables included the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, the Global AI Impact Commons and the Trusted AI Commons.
Where did Amit Shah launch the Vibrant Villages Programme-II on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Nathanpur, Assam
VVP-II was launched at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam.
How many villages are covered under the Vibrant Villages Programme-II?
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Correct answer: B — 1,954
VVP-II covers 1,954 villages in 334 blocks abutting international land borders.
Consider the following statements about the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II): 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with costs shared between the Centre and the states. 2. It covers villages along the northern border with China in addition to other land borders. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% Centre funding, and it excludes the northern border, which is covered by VVP-I.
From which navy did India take over the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Royal Thai Navy
The Indian Navy assumed IONS chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy at the 9th Conclave of Chiefs in Visakhapatnam.
At the 9th IONS Conclave of Chiefs in February 2026, which country was admitted as an Observer?
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Correct answer: A — Philippines
The Philippines was included as an Observer, while Oman joined the IONS Working Group on HADR.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. India held the inaugural IONS chairmanship from 2008 to 2010. 2. The 9th Conclave of Chiefs in 2026 was held at Kochi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India was the first Chair (2008–2010); the 9th Conclave of Chiefs was held at Visakhapatnam on 20 February 2026.
Where was the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone launched on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Veraval, Gujarat
Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the EEZ Access Pass at KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat.
Through which online portal is the EEZ fishing Access Pass issued free of cost?
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Correct answer: B — ReALCRaft
Access Passes are issued free via the ReALCRaft online portal.
Consider the following statements about fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 1. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under the Maritime Zones Act of 1976. 2. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for about 49% of India's EEZ. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Rules were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and A&N plus Lakshadweep make up 49% of India's EEZ.
Where will NIELIT set up India's first dedicated Quantum and AI university campus under an MoU signed on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Amaravati
NIELIT signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up the campus in Amaravati.
NIELIT, which signed the Quantum and AI campus MoU with Andhra Pradesh in February 2026, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
NIELIT is under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
India formally joined which coalition with the United States on 20 February 2026 to secure the 'silicon stack'?
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Correct answer: D — Pax Silica
India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition on the fifth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The Pax Silica coalition that India joined in February 2026 aims mainly to:
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Correct answer: A — Secure supply chains from critical minerals and chip fabrication to AI infrastructure among trusted nations
Pax Silica seeks to secure the 'silicon stack' — critical minerals, semiconductor fabrication, AI systems and deployment infrastructure — reduce over-concentration and prevent economic coercion.
With the launch of seven interventions on 20 February 2026, how many of the 11 proposed interventions under the Export Promotion Mission became operational?
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Correct answer: C — 10
Three interventions were already running; with seven more launched, 10 of the 11 proposed interventions under EPM are operational.
Under the Export Promotion Mission, what does the LIFT intervention launched on 20 February 2026 provide?
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Correct answer: D — Partial reimbursement of freight costs for exporters in low export-intensity districts
LIFT (Logistics Interventions for Freight & Transport) reimburses up to 30% of eligible freight expenditure for exporters in low export-intensity districts, capped at ₹20 lakh per IEC a year.
Consider the following statements about the Export Promotion Mission (EPM): 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025 with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. 2. Niryat Disha is its financial sub-scheme covering interest subvention and credit guarantees. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Niryat Protsahan is the financial sub-scheme; Niryat Disha covers non-financial enablers such as compliance, branding, logistics and trade intelligence.
In February 2026, DGCI&S revised the base year of India's Merchandise Trade Indices to which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2022-23
The base year was revised from FY 2012-13 to FY 2022-23 (2022-23 = 100).
Vungzagin Valte, who died on 20 February 2026, was a BJP MLA from which state?
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Correct answer: D — Manipur
Vungzagin Valte was a BJP MLA from Manipur, injured during the May 2023 ethnic violence.
During PM Modi's meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on 20 February 2026, the leaders welcomed the success of the exposition of which holy relics in Sri Lanka?
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Correct answer: A — Devnimori relics
The leaders welcomed the success of the recently concluded exposition of the Holy Devnimori relics in Sri Lanka.
CAQM's Statutory Direction No. 97 of 20 February 2026 takes note of the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025. From when do these Rules come into force?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 come into force from 1 April 2026.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 19 February 2026 at which venue?
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
The PM inaugurated the Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
In the M.A.N.A.V. vision for AI outlined by PM Modi on 19 February 2026, what does the letter 'N' stand for?
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Correct answer: D — National Sovereignty
M.A.N.A.V. stands for Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive, and Valid and Legitimate.
Which of the following was NOT among PM Modi's three suggestions for ethical AI at the Leaders' Plenary of the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: A — A global tax on AI compute
The three suggestions were a trusted global data framework, transparent 'glass box' safety rules, and embedding human values in AI. A tax on compute was not proposed.
Consider the following statements about the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit 2026: 1. PM Modi said AI must be democratised and become a tool for inclusion, particularly for the Global South. 2. The Summit drew representation from over 100 countries. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PM's inaugural address on 19 February 2026.
In the M.A.N.A.V. vision for AI, the letter 'V' stands for:
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Correct answer: B — Valid and Legitimate
'V' stands for Valid and Legitimate; the full vision is Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive, Valid and Legitimate.
A BSIP-led study announced in February 2026 reconstructed a 300-million-year-old Gondwanan ecosystem using fossils from a coal mine in which basin?
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Correct answer: A — North Karanpura Basin
The evidence came from the Ashoka Coal Mine in Jharkhand's North Karanpura Basin.
The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, which led the Jharkhand coal-mine fossil study, is an autonomous institute under which department?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Science and Technology
BSIP is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
How many countries took part in Exercise MILAN 2026, inaugurated at Visakhapatnam on 19 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 74
Navy chiefs and delegations from 74 countries took part, making it the largest MILAN to date.
What was the theme of Exercise MILAN 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
MILAN 2026 was held under the theme 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration'.
Consider the following statements about Exercise MILAN: 1. It began in 1995 at Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram). 2. The 2026 edition concluded with a closing ceremony aboard INS Vikrant. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Defence Minister recalled MILAN's start in 1995 at Sri Vijaya Puram (then Port Blair), and the 2026 edition closed aboard INS Vikrant on 25 February.
Researchers at CeNS Bengaluru reported a new cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries in February 2026. What is the material?
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Correct answer: D — 1T-phase molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS₂)
The team synthesised sulfur-vacancy-induced 1T-phase molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS₂) nanoflakes as the cathode.
Consider the following statements about aqueous zinc-ion batteries: 1. They use water-based electrolytes. 2. In the CeNS study, zinc metal was used directly as the anode. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries use water-based electrolytes, and zinc metal is used directly as the anode.