Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
On 11 February 2026, the Indian Navy assumed command of which Combined Task Force of the Combined Maritime Forces for the first time?
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Correct answer: B — CTF 154
The Indian Navy took over CTF 154, the CMF's training and capacity-building task force, at Manama on 11 February 2026.
Where is the headquarters of the Combined Maritime Forces, where the CTF 154 change of command was held?
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Correct answer: B — Manama, Bahrain
The change of command ceremony took place at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
Who took over as Commander CTF 154 from the outgoing Italian Navy commander on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Commodore Milind M. Mokashi
Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, took over; Vice Admiral Renshaw presided and Vice Admiral Sobti attended.
Consider the following about the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF): 1. CTF 151 is the CMF task force dedicated to counter-piracy. 2. CTF 154, the training task force, was established in May 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: CTF 151 handles counter-piracy, and CTF 154 was established in May 2023 for multinational training.
Consider the following about CTF 154: 1. Its training pillars include Law of the Sea and Maritime Domain Awareness. 2. The CMF, under which it operates, has 32 member nations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The five pillars include Law of the Sea and Maritime Domain Awareness; the CMF has 47 member nations, not 32.
Which became India's first Major Port to receive the IGBC Platinum rating, as announced on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — V.O. Chidambaranar Port
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, became the first Major Port to receive IGBC Platinum.
What share of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Administration Building's electricity is generated on site through solar power?
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Correct answer: C — 89%
The building runs on 100% renewable energy: 89% from on-site solar and 11% from the port's off-site renewable sources.
How much financial support did the National Biodiversity Authority extend to State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils for FY 2025–26?
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Correct answer: C — ₹6.09 crore
NBA extended ₹6.09 crore to SBBs and UTBCs based on proposals for FY 2025–26.
Under which section of the Biological Diversity Act do local bodies constitute Biodiversity Management Committees?
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Correct answer: D — Section 41
BMCs are constituted by local bodies under Section 41 and maintain People's Biodiversity Registers.
Consider the following about the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. It received the President's assent on 5 February 2003. 2. Its provisions on Access and Benefit Sharing came into force on 1 October 2003. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Act got assent on 5 February 2003; administrative provisions came into force on 1 October 2003, while the Access and Benefit Sharing provisions came into force on 1 July 2004.
Which principle of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya did the Vice-President say holds enduring relevance for the world, in his tribute on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Integral Humanism
The Vice-President said Upadhyaya's principle of Integral Humanism continues to hold enduring relevance for the entire world.
Tributes were paid to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on 11 February 2026. What does this date mark?
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Correct answer: B — His death anniversary
The Prime Minister and Vice-President paid tributes on his death anniversary (punyatithi), 11 February.
Under CAQM's norms of 11 February 2026, large-size Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines are prescribed for roads with a Right of Way of:
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Correct answer: A — More than 15 m
Large MRSMs (hopper over 4 m³, width over 3 m) are for roads with RoW above 15 m.
What hopper capacity does CAQM prescribe for medium-size Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines?
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Correct answer: B — Between 1 m³ and 4 m³
Medium MRSMs have hopper capacity of 1–4 m³ and operating width of 1.5–3 m, for roads with RoW of 10–15 m.
Consider the following about the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021: 1. It is deemed to have come into force on 13 April 2021. 2. 'Adjoining areas' under the Act means areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh adjoining Delhi and the NCR. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Act 29 of 2021 received assent on 12 August 2021, is deemed in force from 13 April 2021, and defines adjoining areas as parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
The National Medicinal Plants Board, which held a Chintan Shivir on 11 February 2026, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Ayush
NMPB is under the Ministry of Ayush; MoS (IC) Ayush Prataprao Jadhav led the inaugural session.
The Chintan Shivir on Medicinal Plants held at Vigyan Bhawan on 11 February 2026 marked how many years of the National Medicinal Plants Board?
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Correct answer: C — 25 years
The programme also marked 25 years of NMPB.
At which temple in Colombo were the Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha exhibited before returning to India on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gangaramaya Temple
The week-long exposition was held at the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo.
The Devnimori archaeological site, source of the Buddha relics, lies near Shamlaji in which district of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Aravalli
The Ministry of Culture says the site is near Shamlaji in Gujarat's Aravalli district; the relics are kept at MSU Baroda.
Consider the following about the Devnimori relic casket: 1. It is made of green schist. 2. Its inscription is in Kharosthi script and Pali language. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The green schist casket is inscribed in Brahmi script and Sanskrit language, reading 'dashabala sharira nilay'.
Who chaired the 11 February 2026 meeting to prepare the roadmap for Financial Inclusion 2.0?
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Correct answer: A — Secretary, Department of Financial Services
M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, chaired the meeting in New Delhi.
By which year does the Financial Inclusion 2.0 discussion aim to achieve insurance and pension for all citizens?
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Correct answer: D — 2047
One of the key areas is achieving the goal of insurance and pension for all citizens by 2047.
The CEO of which company, Tufan Erginbilgic, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic met the Prime Minister, who welcomed the company's plans to scale up in India.
The UN theme for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 brings together AI, social science, STEM and which other field?
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Correct answer: D — Finance
The 2026 theme is 'Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls'.
What green building rating do the new Academic Block-103 and Girls Hostel-50B at IIT Delhi target?
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Correct answer: A — 4-star GRIHA
The ₹430 crore projects target a 4-star GRIHA certification.
Which of the following were added to the definition of 'family' for allotment of government accommodation to Service Officers on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Parents, dependent siblings and legally adopted children
The revised definition adds parents, dependent siblings and legally adopted children to spouse and dependent children/step-children.
How many study reports on Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero did NITI Aayog release on 9–10 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Eleven
NITI Aayog released eleven reports over 9 and 10 February 2026; the final four came out on 10 February.
According to NITI Aayog's Buildings report (Vol. 5), roughly what share of the building floor space that will exist in 2070 is yet to be built?
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Correct answer: C — 86%
About 86% of the 2070 floor space is yet to be built, so passive design and efficient appliances can avoid locking in high energy demand.
NITI Aayog projects air-conditioner ownership in India to rise from about 10% today to what level by 2070?
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Correct answer: C — 80%
The Buildings report projects AC ownership jumping from 10% today to 80% by 2070.
Consider the following about NITI Aayog's Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero reports: 1. They conclude that Viksit Bharat @ 2047 is achievable in all scenarios. 2. The Agriculture report recommends starting with large-scale energy substitution before resource-efficiency measures. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Agriculture report's 'strategic sequencing' puts resource efficiency (micro-irrigation, fertiliser optimisation) first, before large-scale energy substitution.
What was India's Labour Force Participation Rate (15 years and above) in October–December 2025, as per the PLFS quarterly bulletin released on 10 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 55.8%
Overall LFPR rose to 55.8% from 55.1% in July–September 2025.
Female LFPR (15 years and above) in October–December 2025 rose to:
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Correct answer: B — 34.9%
Female LFPR rose to 34.9% from 33.7%, driven by rural female LFPR rising to 39.4%.
Consider the following about the PLFS quarterly bulletin for October–December 2025: 1. The urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above fell to 6.7%. 2. It is the first quarterly bulletin to give estimates for rural areas. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Urban unemployment fell to 6.7% from 6.9%. The April–June 2025 bulletin was the first with rural and urban estimates; October–December 2025 is the third.
The annual Mass Drug Administration campaign against lymphatic filariasis launched on 10 February 2026 covers how many endemic states?
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Correct answer: B — 12
The campaign covers 719 blocks in 124 districts of 12 states.
From February 2026, India's lymphatic filariasis programme replaced which earlier practice with a single annual MDA campaign?
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Correct answer: D — Biannual rounds on 10 February and 10 August
The unified annual MDA campaign replaces the earlier biannual rounds held on 10 February and 10 August.
Consider the following about lymphatic filariasis (LF) in India: 1. LF is transmitted by the female Culex mosquito. 2. India's target for eliminating LF as a public health problem is 2030, the same as the SDG target. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India aims to eliminate LF by 2027, ahead of the global SDG target of 2030.
In which city was BIOFACH 2026, where India was 'Country of the Year', inaugurated on 10 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Nuremberg
BIOFACH 2026, the world's leading organic trade fair, opened in Nuremberg, Germany.
Which body organised India's participation at BIOFACH 2026, and which regulation did the Commerce Secretary highlight there?
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Correct answer: D — APEDA; National Programme for Organic Production
APEDA organised India's participation; the Commerce Secretary highlighted amendments to the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
On 10 February 2026, Amit Shah inaugurated a new Cybercrime Branch of which agency?
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Correct answer: D — CBI
He inaugurated the new Cybercrime Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The S4C dashboard launched on 10 February 2026 belongs to which body, and what does S4C stand for?
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Correct answer: A — I4C; State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre
The State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C) dashboard is of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C).
According to Amit Shah on 10 February 2026, how much of the ₹20,000 crore lost to cyber fraud had been frozen and returned to victims?
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Correct answer: B — ₹8,189 crore
He said ₹8,189 crore out of ₹20,000 crore had been frozen and returned to victims.
The theme of MeitY's Safer Internet Day 2026 campaign, 'Smart Tech, Safe Choices', focused on the safe and responsible use of:
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Correct answer: A — Artificial Intelligence
The theme was 'Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI'.
Under which MeitY initiative was the Safer Internet Day 2026 campaign organised?
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Correct answer: B — Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA)
The campaign was organised under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) initiative and reached 9.78 crore citizens.
After its MoU with the General Insurance Council on 10 February 2026, the All India Institute of Ayurveda can offer cashless treatment under how many general insurance companies?
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Correct answer: C — 32
AIIA is now empanelled with all 32 general insurance companies under the General Insurance Council.
Consider the following about the General Insurance Council: 1. It is a statutory body constituted under Section 64C of the Insurance Act, 1938. 2. It has been functioning since 2001 under the aegis of IRDAI. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Council is constituted under Section 64C of the Insurance Act, 1938 and has functioned since 2001 under IRDAI.
The 189-tonne over-dimensional cargo moved by IWAI in February 2026 was meant for a semiconductor facility at which place in Assam?
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Correct answer: D — Morigaon
Its final destination is the Tata Semiconductor Assembly at Morigaon.
The over-dimensional cargo for Assam's semiconductor unit travelled on National Waterway-2. NW-2 is on which river?
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Correct answer: A — Brahmaputra
National Waterway-2 is the Brahmaputra; the cargo reached Pandu, Guwahati, and will be unloaded at Silghat.
Kaushal Rath, flagged off on 10 February 2026, is a mobile AI lab under which national programme?
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Correct answer: A — Yuva AI for All
Kaushal Rath is a mobile AI awareness initiative under the National AI Literacy programme 'Yuva AI for All'.
The Indian National Science Academy signed an MoU on 10 February 2026 with which CSIR institute to advance science communication and policy research?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-NIScPR
INSA signed the MoU with CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR).
With which stock exchange did the Department of Posts sign an MoU on 10 February 2026 to distribute mutual funds through post offices?
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Correct answer: C — National Stock Exchange (NSE)
The Department of Posts signed the MoU with the National Stock Exchange of India to use its mutual fund platform.
Where did the SARAS Aajeevika Mela 2026 of 'Lakhpati Didis' begin on 10 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Leisure Valley Park, Gurugram
The fair is being held at the Leisure Valley Park Ground, Sector 29, Gurugram, from 10 to 26 February 2026.
During the India–Seychelles defence talks in New Delhi on 10 February 2026, both sides welcomed which upcoming joint military exercise?
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Correct answer: B — LAMITYE-2026
Both sides welcomed the upcoming joint military exercise LAMITYE-2026 between the Indian Defence Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces.
What is the size of the Special Economic Package India announced for Seychelles on 9 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — USD 175 million
India announced a Special Economic Package of USD 175 million for Seychelles.
The India–Seychelles Joint Vision announced on 9 February 2026 is abbreviated as:
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Correct answer: D — SESEL
It is the Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL).
President Herminie's State Visit to India in February 2026 coincided with which anniversary of India–Seychelles diplomatic relations?
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Correct answer: C — 50th
The visit coincided with the 50th year of Seychelles' independence and of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Consider the following about the Special Economic Package India announced for Seychelles in February 2026: 1. It includes a USD 125 million Rupee-denominated Line of Credit. 2. It includes USD 50 million in grant assistance. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the USD 175 million package combines a USD 125 million Rupee-denominated Line of Credit and USD 50 million in grants.
Consider the following outcomes of the India–Seychelles talks of 9 February 2026: 1. Seychelles agreed to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). 2. India agreed to set up an Indian naval base on Seychelles' Assumption Island. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Seychelles agreed to join CDRI and to set up a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit with Indian help; no naval base was announced.
How much investment did companies commit under the MoUs signed for PLI 1.2 (specialty steel) on 9 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹11,887 crore
The 55 companies committed ₹11,887 crore for 85 projects.
What specialty steel capacity is expected from the PLI 1.2 projects by FY 2031?
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Correct answer: C — 8.7 million tonnes
The PLI 1.2 projects are expected to add 8.7 million tonnes of specialty steel capacity by FY 2031.
Consider the following about the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel: 1. The scheme was first launched in July 2021. 2. The MoUs signed on 9 February 2026 under PLI 1.2 were with 85 companies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The scheme began in July 2021. The 9 February 2026 MoUs covered 85 projects of 55 companies, not 85 companies.
According to NITI Aayog's Financing Needs report released on 9 February 2026, how much capital must India mobilise by 2070 under the Net Zero scenario?
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Correct answer: D — $22.7 trillion
The report estimates $22.7 trillion by 2070, including a projected financing gap of $6.5 trillion.
How many inter-ministerial working groups informed NITI Aayog's study on Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero?
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Correct answer: B — Ten
The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups covering macroeconomics, sectoral transitions, finance, critical minerals, R&D and social implications.
Consider the following statements made at the release of NITI Aayog's first Net Zero reports on 9 February 2026: 1. India's coal consumption is expected to keep rising until 2047. 2. The study targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The study assesses scenarios for reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, not 2050; the NITI CEO said coal consumption will rise till 2047.
What was the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks for domestic operations at the end of September 2025, as stated on 9 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2.15%
The SCB gross NPA ratio was a historic low of 2.15%; PSBs were at 2.50%, private banks 1.73% and foreign banks 0.80%.
In which year did the RBI initiate the Asset Quality Review that the Finance Ministry credited for the fall in gross NPAs?
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Correct answer: C — 2015
The RBI began the Asset Quality Review in 2015, followed by the government's 4R strategy.
For how much did NHAI accept Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust's offer for five National Highway assets, as announced on 9 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹9,500 crore
NHAI accepted RIIT's offer of ₹9,500 crore for five sections spanning over 260 km.
Which of the following highway sections is NOT among the five assets won by Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust in February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Lucknow–Kanpur
The five assets are Gorhar–Barwa Adda (Jharkhand), Chilakaluripet–Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Chennai Bypass and Chennai–Tada (Tamil Nadu) and Neelmangla–Tumkur (Karnataka).