Asia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At what level did the government, in the Budget 2026-27, agree to retain the states' vertical share of devolution as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission?
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Correct answer: C — 41%
The government accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to retain the vertical share at 41%.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 provide to states for 2026-27 as Finance Commission grants?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1.4 lakh crore
₹1.4 lakh crore was provided as Finance Commission grants, as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission.
Consider the following about the Finance Commission grants announced in the Budget 2026-27: 1. They include grants for both rural and urban local bodies. 2. They exclude disaster management grants, which are now funded separately. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹1.4 lakh crore includes rural and urban local body grants and disaster management grants.
The sharing of the net proceeds of Union taxes between the Union and the states, on which the Finance Commission's 'vertical devolution' recommendation applies, is provided under which Article?
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Correct answer: A — Article 270
Article 270 provides for the net proceeds of Union taxes and duties to be distributed between the Union and the states.
What public capital expenditure did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹12.2 lakh crore
Public capex was raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore for 2026-27.
Which new fund did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce to reassure private developers about construction-phase risks?
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Correct answer: A — Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund
The Budget announced an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund for risks during development and construction.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, how much will each City Economic Region get for implementing its plan?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,000 crore over 5 years
Each City Economic Region gets ₹5,000 crore over five years through a challenge mode with results-based financing.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. A ₹100 crore incentive is offered to a city for a single municipal bond issue of more than ₹1,000 crore. 2. Dedicated REITs are proposed to recycle real-estate assets of CPSEs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as listed in the Budget highlights.
What record capital expenditure was planned for Indian Railways in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — ₹2,93,030 crore
A record capex of ₹2,93,030 crore was planned for Indian Railways.
The new dedicated freight corridor announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 will connect Dankuni with which city?
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Correct answer: B — Surat
The 2,052 km dedicated freight corridor will link Dankuni in the east with Surat in the west.
Which of the following is NOT among the seven high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi–Amritsar
The seven are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
Consider the following about the transport proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The rollout of 20 new National Waterways will begin with NW-5 in Odisha, linking Talcher and Angul to the ports of Paradip and Dhamra. 2. The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme aims to raise the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping to 12% by 2047. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct; the target is to raise the share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed reducing the tariff on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20% to:
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Correct answer: B — 10%
The tariff on dutiable goods imported for personal use is to fall from 20% to 10%.
How many drugs or medicines, particularly for cancer patients, did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to exempt from basic customs duty?
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Correct answer: C — 17
BCD is to be exempted on 17 drugs or medicines; separately, 7 more rare diseases were added for personal-import exemptions.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, until which year has the basic customs duty exemption on goods for nuclear power projects been extended?
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Correct answer: C — 2035
The exemption was extended till 2035 and expanded to all nuclear plants irrespective of capacity.
Consider the following customs proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The duty-deferral period for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Authorised Economic Operators is raised from 15 to 30 days. 2. The limit for duty-free inputs for seafood exports is raised from 1% to 3% of the previous year's FOB export turnover. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
What fiscal deficit target, as a share of GDP, did the Union Budget 2026-27 set for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — 4.3%
The fiscal deficit in BE 2026-27 is estimated at 4.3% of GDP; RE 2025-26 is 4.4%.
According to the Union Budget 2026-27, what is the Centre's debt-to-GDP ratio estimated at in BE 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 55.6%
Debt-to-GDP is estimated at 55.6% in BE 2026-27, down from 56.1% in RE 2025-26.
What is the total expenditure estimated in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹53.5 lakh crore
Total expenditure is estimated at ₹53.5 lakh crore in BE 2026-27; ₹49.6 lakh crore is the RE for 2025-26.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The government says India is on track to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50±1% by 2030-31. 2. The fiscal deficit for 2025-26 in the Revised Estimates was higher than the Budget Estimate of 4.4%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. RE 2025-26 kept the fiscal deficit at par with BE 2025-26, at 4.4% of GDP.
The Union Budget is constitutionally the 'annual financial statement' laid before both Houses of Parliament. Which Article of the Constitution provides for it?
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Correct answer: B — Article 112
Article 112 requires the President to cause a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for each financial year — the annual financial statement — to be laid before both Houses.
Which Raising Day of the Indian Coast Guard was celebrated on 1 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 50th
Rajnath Singh attended the ICG's 50th Raising Day celebrations in New Delhi.
At the ICG's 50th Raising Day, Rajnath Singh asked the Coast Guard to prepare a roadmap for how many years as part of the Viksit Bharat @2047 goal?
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Correct answer: D — 25 years
He asked the ICG to prepare a clear, well-targeted roadmap for the next 25 years.
What is Bharat-VISTAAR, proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — A multilingual AI tool giving farmers customised advisory
Bharat-VISTAAR is a multilingual AI tool that integrates AgriStack portals and ICAR's package of practices.
Which of the following crops is NOT among the high-value crops the Union Budget 2026-27 said it would support in coastal areas?
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Correct answer: C — Saffron
The crops named were coconut, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in coastal areas.
Where will NIMHANS-2, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, be set up?
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Correct answer: A — North India
The Budget announced NIMHANS-2 in north India; institutes at Ranchi and Tezpur will be upgraded as regional apex institutions.
How many Regional Medical Hubs to promote medical tourism did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce?
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Correct answer: B — Five
Five Regional Medical Hubs will be established to promote medical value tourism.
Which airport in Punjab was renamed Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport on 1 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Adampur Airport
Adampur Airport was renamed on Sant Ravidass Jayanti; the PM inaugurated a terminal at Halwara the same day.
Halwara Airport, whose terminal building was inaugurated on 1 February 2026, mainly serves which city?
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Correct answer: A — Ludhiana
The PM said the Halwara terminal is a moment of joy for Ludhiana and surrounding areas.
Which of the following sites is among the 15 archaeological sites to be developed as cultural destinations under the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — Rakhigarhi
The listed sites include Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur and Leh Palace.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 allocate to promote sports goods manufacturing?
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Correct answer: A — ₹500 crore
₹500 crore was allocated to promote sports goods manufacturing, alongside the Khelo India Mission.
What is the size of the SME Growth Fund announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to create 'Champion SMEs'?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore
A dedicated ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund was announced.
Which two public sector NBFCs did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to restructure to achieve scale and efficiency?
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Correct answer: A — Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation
The Budget proposed restructuring Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation.
Patna Bird Sanctuary, declared a Ramsar site in January 2026, is located in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Etah, Uttar Pradesh
PIB: Patna Bird Sanctuary is in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh (not Patna in Bihar).
Chhari-Dhand, added to the Ramsar list on 31 January 2026, is in which district of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Kutch
Chhari-Dhand is in Kutch district of Gujarat, as announced by the Environment Minister on 31 January 2026.
After the two additions announced on 31 January 2026, how many Ramsar sites did India have?
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Correct answer: D — 98
PIB: India's Ramsar network grew from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present.
Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention: 1. It was signed at Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. 2. India became a signatory to it on 1 February 1982. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: The Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and India became a signatory on 1 February 1982.
In January 2026, who became the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: C — Sunetra Pawar
Sunetra Pawar was sworn in on 31 January 2026 as the first woman Deputy CM of Maharashtra (PIB, Indian Express).
Who administered the oath of office to Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Governor Acharya Devvrat
The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai.
Which of the following portfolios was NOT allotted to Sunetra Pawar on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Finance and Planning
She got State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Auqaf; Finance and Planning went to CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Consider the following statements: 1. Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. 2. Sunetra Pawar was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly when she was sworn in as Deputy CM. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. Sunetra Pawar was a Rajya Sabha MP, not a member of either House of the state legislature.
Which country co-chaired the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026 along with India?
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Correct answer: C — United Arab Emirates
The meeting was co-chaired by India and the UAE (MEA via DD News).
Where was the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in 2016?
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Correct answer: A — Manama, Bahrain
MEA: the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in 2016 in Bahrain; the 2026 meeting came after a gap of 10 years.
What was the outcome document of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 2026) called?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi Declaration
The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration (MEA, UAE MoFA, Indian Express); the Manama Declaration was from the first meeting in 2016.
Consider the following statements about the League of Arab States: 1. It has 22 member states. 2. India is a full member of the League. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
MEA: India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body with 22 member states.
In which district of Odisha will the Kalyani Group's ₹17,250 crore manufacturing complex, approved by the state Cabinet on 31 January 2026, come up?
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Correct answer: A — Dhenkanal
The complex will be built over about 1,100 acres at Gajamara in Dhenkanal district.
Under which policy's special provisions did the Odisha Cabinet approve the Kalyani Group complex in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 2022
The project was approved under special provisions of Odisha's Industrial Policy Resolution 2022.
Which country was the partner country of the 39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Crafts Mela (2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Egypt
PIB: The Vice-President welcomed Egypt, the partner country for this year's Mela.
Which two states were the theme states of the 39th Surajkund Crafts Mela inaugurated on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya
PIB: The theme states were Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya.
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is held in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Faridabad
PIB: The 39th Mela was inaugurated at Faridabad, Haryana.
Who won the women's singles title at the Australian Open 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final on 31 January 2026.
Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open 2026 women's champion, represents which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kazakhstan
Rybakina is from Kazakhstan; the runner-up Sabalenka is from Belarus.
With the Australian Open 2026, Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam title. Which was her first?
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Correct answer: A — Wimbledon 2022
AP/BBC: Rybakina's first major was Wimbledon 2022; she lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.
Which institute was ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
PIB (31 Jan 2026): IIFT has been ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026.
The UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), whose 64th session India attended in 2026, is a functional commission of which UN body?
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Correct answer: B — UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
PIB: The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Bharat Parv, held every year at the Red Fort lawns during Republic Day celebrations, is organised by which ministry?
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Correct answer: D — Ministry of Tourism
PIB: Bharat Parv is organised by the Ministry of Tourism annually since 2016.
'Vande Mataram', whose 150th anniversary was the theme of Bharat Parv 2026, was first published in which journal?
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Correct answer: B — Bangadarshan
PIB: Vande Mataram was first published in the literary journal 'Bangadarshan' on 7 November 1875; it was later included in the novel 'Anandamath' (1882).
In January 2026 the Tamil Nadu CM inaugurated a new Government Law College at Kazhanivasal in which town?
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Correct answer: A — Karaikudi
The Hindu/TOI: The Government Law College is at Kazhanivasal in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district.
The auditorium of the Chettinad Agriculture College and Research Institute, opened in January 2026, was named after which Bharat Ratna awardee?
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Correct answer: C — C. Subramaniam
The new auditorium was named after Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam, architect of India's Green Revolution (The Hindu, TOI).
In the first three phases of Himachal Pradesh's BPL identification survey (as of January 2026), which district had the highest number of families added?
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Correct answer: D — Chamba
Chamba had 13,786 families, ahead of Mandi (12,045) and Kangra (10,807), out of 59,829 in total (TOI, NewsMill).
From which date did Himachal Pradesh order the fourth phase of its BPL identification survey to begin?
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Correct answer: B — 1 February 2026
On 31 January 2026 CM Sukhu directed that the fourth phase begin from 1 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about Nagaland's birth and death registration (January 2026): 1. CM Neiphiu Rio launched the digitisation of old manual birth and death certificates in Kohima. 2. Online registration of births and deaths in Nagaland began in April 2022 on the directive of the Registrar General of India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
DIPR Nagaland: Rio launched the digitisation on 31 January 2026 in Kohima; online registration began in April 2022 following the ORGI directive.
Under a January 2026 MoU with CCRAS, rare Ayurvedic palm-leaf manuscripts of which university's South Odisha Cultural Study Centre will be digitised?
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Correct answer: B — Berhampur University
PIB: CCRAS and Berhampur University, Odisha, agreed to digitise manuscripts preserved at the South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC).
In January 2026 which state included IVF and other assisted reproductive technology procedures under its AB-PMJAY-linked health scheme on a pilot basis?
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Correct answer: D — Karnataka
Karnataka's order dated 30 January 2026 added ART procedures to the AB-PMJAY–CM's Arogya Karnataka scheme (The Hindu, New Indian Express).
Under Karnataka's ART pilot (January 2026), both partners must be within which age range, as per the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021?
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Correct answer: C — 21 to 55 years
The Hindu: both partners must be above 21 and below 55 years, in line with the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021.
In January 2026 the foundation stone of a new Assam Legislative Assembly building was laid in which city, being developed as Assam's second capital?
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Correct answer: C — Dibrugarh
PIB: Amit Shah laid the foundation stone at Dibrugarh, which CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced in 2025 would be Assam's second capital.
The projects for which Amit Shah laid foundation stones / inaugurated in Dibrugarh on 30 January 2026 were worth approximately how much?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,715 crore
PIB: Five projects at a total cost of about ₹1,715 crore; ₹692 crore was the MHA spend on 15 wetlands for flood control.
How many route kilometres of Kavach 4.0 did Indian Railways commission on 30 January 2026, the highest in a single day?
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Correct answer: B — 472.3 km
PIB: 472.3 route km were commissioned on 30 January 2026; 324 km (Kota–Mathura) was the previous record and 1,306.3 km is the new total.
Which was the longest of the three sections where Kavach 4.0 was commissioned on 30 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vadodara–Virar
PIB: Vadodara–Virar (344 km) on Western Railway; the others were Tuglakabad–Palwal (35 km) and Manpur–Sarmatanr (93.3 km).
Consider the following statements about Kavach 4.0 (as of 30 January 2026): 1. It is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system. 2. It had been commissioned in all zones of Indian Railways. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Kavach is indigenous Automatic Train Protection; Kavach 4.0 had been commissioned across five zones (1,306.3 route km), not all zones.
Up to December 2025, the Government of India's total receipts were what share of the Budget Estimates 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 72.2%
PIB: Total receipts of ₹25,25,156 crore were 72.2% of BE 2025-26; 66.7% was the expenditure share.
How much was transferred to State Governments as devolution of share of taxes up to December 2025 (FY 2025-26)?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10,38,164 crore
PIB: ₹10,38,164 crore was devolved to states, ₹1,37,014 crore more than the previous year. (₹7,87,935 crore = capex; ₹9,11,059 crore = interest; ₹19,39,254 crore = net tax revenue.)
Consider the following about the Union accounts up to December 2025: 1. Interest payments were more than capital expenditure. 2. Total expenditure was below 70% of the Budget Estimates. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: Interest ₹9,11,059 crore > capital expenditure ₹7,87,935 crore; total expenditure was 66.7% of BE.
Which state's tableau was judged the best among States/UTs at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra
PIB: The top state/UT tableau (judges) was Maharashtra's 'Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta', followed by J&K and Kerala.
Which contingent was adjudged the best marching contingent among the three Services at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Navy
PIB: Judges chose the Indian Navy as the best marching contingent among the three Services; the Assam Regiment won the Popular Choice poll.
Match the Republic Day Parade 2026 award with the winner: 1. Best CAPF/auxiliary contingent (judges) 2. Best ministry tableau (judges) 3. Best state tableau (Popular Choice) Winners: a. Ministry of Culture b. Delhi Police c. Gujarat
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Correct answer: A — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
PIB: Delhi Police (best CAPF contingent), Ministry of Culture (best ministry tableau), Gujarat (Popular Choice state tableau).
Where was India Energy Week 2026 held (27–30 January 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — Goa
PIB: IEW 2026 was organised in Goa from 27 to 30 January 2026.
At the close of India Energy Week 2026, the Petroleum Minister described India as the world's ___ largest energy consumer and ___ largest refiner.
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Correct answer: A — third; fourth
PIB: India is the world's third-largest energy consumer and fourth-largest refiner.