India Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At the pre-Budget consultation with States on 10 January 2026, many participants asked for the continuation of which scheme?
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Correct answer: A — Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
PIB (Finance): many participants highlighted that SASCI be continued.
Under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), the Centre gives states which kind of support, as stated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 50-year interest-free loans
PIB (Finance): since 2020-21 the Union Government has released more than ₹4.25 lakh crore to states as 50-year interest-free loans under SASCI.
Which city hosted the Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0, which concluded on 10 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Visakhapatnam
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the two-day Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 concluded in Visakhapatnam.
The MoU for Andhra Pradesh's first Lighthouse Museum, exchanged in January 2026, was between the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and which body?
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Correct answer: D — Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the MoU was exchanged between VPA and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).
Consider the following statements made at the Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 (January 2026): 1. 75 lighthouses have been developed as tourism destinations and 25 more are proposed. 2. Port projects worth ₹230 crore were launched at Visakhapatnam Port. 3. A light and sound show was inaugurated at Aguada Lighthouse in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): statements 1 and 2 are correct; Aguada Lighthouse is in Goa, not Kerala.
Where did NITI Aayog hold its national workshop 'Sustaining Innovation: Embedding R&D in State Institutions' on 8–9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore
PIB (NITI Aayog): the workshop was hosted at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, with the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology.
Which city hosted the Ministry of Cooperation's National-Level Workshop and Review Meeting on Strengthening the Cooperative Sector on 8–9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Udaipur
PIB (Cooperation): the two-day workshop was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Consider the following statements about the cooperative-sector workshop held in Udaipur in January 2026: 1. It was inaugurated by Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani. 2. It reviewed the National Cooperative Database and Multi-State Cooperative Society reforms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Cooperation): both are correct.
Which DRDO laboratory conducted the full-scale actively cooled scramjet combustor ground test on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — DRDL, Hyderabad
PIB (Defence): the test was conducted by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.
For how long did DRDO's full-scale scramjet combustor run in the ground test of 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 12 minutes
PIB (Defence): the combustor achieved a run time of over 12 minutes at the SCPT facility.
Consider the following statements about the scramjet test reported by DRDO in January 2026: 1. A scramjet is an air-breathing engine that sustains flight through supersonic combustion. 2. A hypersonic cruise missile flies at more than five times the speed of sound. 3. The full-scale test was the first long-duration test of any scramjet combustor by DRDL. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct; statement 3 is wrong because the test built on an earlier long-duration subscale test on 25 April 2025.
From which date will the three-year nationwide anti-drug campaign announced at the 9th NCORD apex meeting begin?
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Correct answer: B — 31 March 2026
PIB (Home Affairs): a collective campaign against drugs will be carried out for three years from 31 March 2026.
Where did Amit Shah inaugurate a new Narcotics Control Bureau office on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Amritsar
PIB (Home Affairs): the Home Minister inaugurated the NCB office at Amritsar at the NCORD meeting.
Consider the following statements about the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), as stated in January 2026: 1. The NCORD mechanism was established in 2016. 2. It aims to improve coordination between the States, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other stakeholders on drugs. 3. Its 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Home Affairs): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, not the PM.
What does the 'M' in the mangrove scheme MISHTI stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Mangrove
PIB (MoEFCC): MISHTI stands for Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes.
Who inaugurated the national-level workshop on MISHTI held in Andhra Pradesh on 8–9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pawan Kalyan
PIB (MoEFCC): the workshop was inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Consider the following statements about MISHTI: 1. It was launched on 5 June 2023. 2. It covers about 540 sq km across 9 coastal states and 4 Union Territories. 3. It contributes to the Mangrove Alliance for Climate, which India joined at COP-26 in Glasgow. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoEFCC, April 2025 and January 2026): statements 1 and 2 are correct; India joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate at COP-27, not COP-26.
The National IED Data Management System (NIDMS), inaugurated in January 2026, belongs to which force?
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Correct answer: A — National Security Guard
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah inaugurated the National IED Data Management System of the NSG.
In which year was the National Security Guard (NSG) established, as stated by the Home Minister in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 1984
PIB (Home Affairs): the NSG was established in 1984.
Consider the following statements made by the Home Minister at the NIDMS launch in January 2026: 1. NIDMS follows the idea of 'One Nation, One Data Repository' for IED and blast data. 2. ICJS-2 is described as a data-sharing system based on 'One Data–One Entry'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Home Affairs): both are correct — NIDMS makes scattered data available under 'One Nation, One Data Repository', and ICJS-2 is based on 'One Data–One Entry'.
Who starred with 4-26 and 63 not out as RCB beat Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2026 opener on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Nadine de Klerk
ESPNcricinfo, BBC Sport and The Indian Express: Nadine de Klerk took 4 for 26 and scored 63 not out off 44 balls.
Consider the following statements about the WPL 2026 opening match: 1. It was played at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. 2. Mumbai Indians were the defending champions. 3. RCB won by seven wickets with an over to spare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
ESPNcricinfo and BBC Sport: statements 1 and 2 are correct; RCB won by three wickets off the last ball.
Which city hosted the National Textiles Ministers' Conference that concluded on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
PIB (Textiles): the two-day conference concluded in Guwahati.
What textile export target by 2030 was discussed at the National Textiles Ministers' Conference in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — USD 100 billion
PIB (Textiles): the Centre–state dialogue focused on achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030.
What share of India's fertilizer requirement was met through domestic production in 2025, per the Department of Fertilizers?
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Correct answer: C — About 73%
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): nearly 73% of the total requirement was met through domestic production in 2025.
India's domestic fertilizer production reached an all-time high in 2025. What was it?
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Correct answer: D — 524.62 lakh tonnes
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): production rose from 433.29 lakh tonnes in 2021 to an all-time high of 524.62 lakh tonnes in 2025.
What was the title of the consultation on Samagra Shiksha 3.0 chaired by Dharmendra Pradhan on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Reimagining Samagra Shiksha
PIB (Education): the consultation was titled 'Reimagining Samagra Shiksha'.
Which of the following correctly describes Samagra Shiksha, as stated by the Ministry of Education in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — An integrated centrally sponsored scheme covering pre-primary to senior secondary
PIB (Education): Samagra Shiksha is an integrated, centrally sponsored scheme for school education covering the continuum from pre-primary to senior secondary.
How many trains were speeded up under Indian Railways' Timetable of Trains (TAG) 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 549
PIB (Railways): 549 trains were speeded up under TAG 2026.
Consider the following statements about TAG 2026 of Indian Railways: 1. 122 new trains were introduced. 2. The new trains include 28 Vande Bharat trains. 3. 26 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Railways): all three are correct.
Where was the Sports Governance Conclave addressed by Mansukh Mandaviya on 9 January 2026 held?
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Correct answer: A — Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the conclave was held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
Consider the following statements about the Sports Governance Conclave of January 2026: 1. It was organised with the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Olympic Association. 2. The Sports Minister called a top-10 finish in the Olympic medal tally a non-negotiable goal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): both are correct.
Who inaugurated the Third International Conference on Indian Languages in New Delhi on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan
PIB (Vice-President's Secretariat): Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the conference.
Who chairs the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the National Sports Board under the rules notified in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Cabinet Secretary
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
Under which law were the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026 notified?
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Correct answer: D — National Sports Governance Act, 2025
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the rules were notified under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Consider the following statements about the National Sports Board, as described in January 2026: 1. Its Search-cum-Selection Committee includes two recipients of national sports awards. 2. The committee recommends names for the Board's Chairperson and two Members. 3. The Board will grant recognition to National Sports Bodies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): all three are correct.
PANKHUDI, launched in January 2026, is a portal of which ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Women and Child Development
PIB (WCD): the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched PANKHUDI.
What is the main purpose of the PANKHUDI portal?
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Correct answer: D — CSR and partnership facilitation for women and child development
PIB (WCD): PANKHUDI is an integrated CSR and partnership facilitation portal for initiatives on women and child development.
What is the name of the Aadhaar mascot launched by UIDAI in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Udai
PIB (MeitY): UIDAI launched the Aadhaar mascot named Udai (उदय).
In which city did UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra unveil the Aadhaar mascot 'Udai' on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Thiruvananthapuram
PIB (MeitY): the mascot was unveiled at a UIDAI function in Thiruvananthapuram.
Consider the following statements about the Aadhaar mascot 'Udai': 1. It was selected through national design and name competitions on the MyGov platform. 2. The competitions received 875 entries. 3. The design competition was won by a participant from Bhopal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MeitY): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the design contest was won by Arun Gokul of Thrissur, Kerala — Riya Jain of Bhopal won the name contest.
How many students took part in Project Veer Gatha 5.0, as reported in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 1.92 crore
PIB (Defence): approximately 1.92 crore students from around 1.90 lakh schools participated.
Consider the following statements about Project Veer Gatha: 1. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education. 2. It began in 2021. 3. Students from CBSE-affiliated schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0 for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Defence): all three are correct — over 28,000 students from 91 CBSE schools in 18 countries took part for the first time.
The ₹68 lakh released by the National Biodiversity Authority to Maharashtra in January 2026 arose from commercial use of which biological resource?
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Correct answer: A — Bacillus soil bacteria
PIB (MoEFCC): the disbursement stems from the commercial use of soil bacteria of the Bacillus genus for probiotic products.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's ABS disbursement of January 2026: 1. The money went to Biodiversity Management Committees in Wada tehsil of Palghar and to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. 2. About 15% of ABS applications involve microorganisms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoEFCC): both are correct.
Which port's Northern Breakwater Head, rehabilitated after cyclone damage at a cost of ₹105 crore, was inaugurated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Kamarajar Port
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the rehabilitated Northern Breakwater Head of Kamarajar Port was inaugurated at an investment of ₹105 crore.
What was the total value of port projects rolled out by Sarbananda Sonowal in Tamil Nadu on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹235 crore
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): projects worth ₹235 crore were rolled out at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port.
The 12 AI start-ups at the PM's roundtable on 8 January 2026 had qualified under which pillar of the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Foundation Model Pillar
PIB (PMO): the 12 start-ups had qualified under the Foundation Model Pillar of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
How many Indian AI start-ups presented their work at the PM's roundtable on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 12
PIB (PMO): 12 Indian AI start-ups presented their ideas and work.
Under the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) plan unveiled in January 2026, how many high-potential districts are to become Global Export Champions?
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Correct answer: C — 100
PIB (Textiles): DLTT aims to transform 100 high-potential districts into Global Export Champions and elevate 100 Aspirational Districts.
Which three parameters were used to score districts under the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) plan?
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Correct answer: B — Export performance, MSME ecosystem and workforce presence
PIB (Textiles): districts were scored on export performance, MSME ecosystem and workforce presence.
In which year was the Swadesh Darshan scheme for theme-based tourist circuits launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2015
PIB (Tourism): the Ministry of Tourism launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in January 2015.
How many international tourist arrivals did India record in 2024, according to the Tourism Ministry's year-end review?
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Correct answer: C — 20.57 million
PIB (Tourism): International Tourist Arrivals in India during 2024 were 20.57 million.
Consider the following statements based on the Tourism Ministry's year-end review (January 2026): 1. Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) is a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. 2. The ministry will develop 1,000 tribal homestays under PM-JUGA. 3. All 76 projects sanctioned under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme have been completed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Tourism): statements 1 and 2 are correct; 75 of the 76 sanctioned projects have been completed, so statement 3 is wrong.
What is the purpose of the SWAMIH Investment Fund?
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Correct answer: A — Last-mile financing for stalled housing projects
PIB (Finance): SWAMIH provides last-mile financing to stalled housing projects.
When was the SWAMIH Investment Fund launched?
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Correct answer: D — November 2019
PIB (Finance): the SWAMIH Investment Fund was launched in November 2019 after Union Cabinet approval.
Consider the following statements about the SWAMIH Fund, as of January 2026: 1. About 61,000 homes had been delivered across 110 projects as of 15 December 2025. 2. Its portfolio has more than 145 projects across 30 cities. 3. Its investment period was extended to December 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Finance): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the fund committed its whole corpus before its investment period ended on 5 December 2025.
Where will SECL and the Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust set up a ₹35.04 crore Healthcare Skill Development Centre?
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Correct answer: B — Nava Raipur
PIB (Coal): the centre will be set up at Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the SECL healthcare skill centre announced in January 2026: 1. It is funded under SECL's Corporate Social Responsibility programme. 2. At least 20% of the annual intake will be reserved for SECL's operational districts for 25 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Coal): both are correct.
What real GDP growth rate for 2025-26 did the NSO's First Advance Estimates (January 2026) project?
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Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4% in 2025-26 against 6.5% in 2024-25.
Which base year is used for the constant-price GDP figures in the First Advance Estimates for 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — 2011-12
PIB (MoSPI): the estimates are given at constant (2011-12) and current prices.
What is the estimated level of real GDP (constant prices) for 2025-26 in the First Advance Estimates?
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Correct answer: D — ₹201.90 lakh crore
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated at ₹201.90 lakh crore in 2025-26, against ₹187.97 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Consider the following statements based on the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26: 1. Nominal GDP is estimated to grow at 8.0%. 2. Real GVA is estimated to grow at 7.3%. 3. Agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow faster than manufacturing and construction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): statements 1 and 2 are correct; agriculture is estimated at 3.1% against 7.0% for manufacturing and construction, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which two CSIR laboratories developed the bio-bitumen technology transferred in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP
PIB (Science & Technology): the technology was developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
Consider the following statements about the CSIR bio-bitumen technology (January 2026): 1. It uses pyrolysis of post-harvest rice straw to produce bio-oil. 2. India imports about 80% of its bitumen requirement. 3. Laboratory validation shows 20–30% of conventional bitumen can be replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Science & Technology): statements 1 and 3 are correct; India imports nearly 50% of its bitumen, not 80%.
Under the first phase of Odisha's Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme, launched in January 2026, how many model primary schools are to be set up?
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Correct answer: B — 2,200
Times of India, OrissaPOST (PTI) and Sambad English (IANS): 2,200 model primary schools will be set up in the first phase at a cost of ₹12,000 crore; foundation stones were laid for 118 of them.
Odisha's Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme was launched in January 2026 at Banpur, the birthplace of Pandit Godabarish Mishra. Banpur is in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Khurda
OrissaPOST (PTI) and Sambad English (IANS): the scheme was launched at Banpur in Khurda (Khordha) district, the birthplace of Pandit Godabarish Mishra.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme (January 2026): 1. The first phase has an outlay of ₹12,000 crore over four years. 2. A provision of ₹3,000 crore was made in the current year's budget. 3. The scheme aims to develop one model primary school in every block of the state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Times of India and Sambad English (IANS): ₹12,000 crore over four years in the first phase and ₹3,000 crore in this year's budget. The aim is one model school in every gram panchayat, not every block, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which of the following is NOT a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), India's partner in TEPA?
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Correct answer: D — Denmark
PIB (Commerce): EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland; Denmark is not a member.
Who is the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein whom Piyush Goyal called on in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Brigitte Haas
PIB (Commerce): Goyal called on Prime Minister Brigitte Haas; Sabine Monauni is Deputy PM and Hereditary Prince Alois is the Hereditary Prince.
Consider the following statements about the India–EFTA TEPA, as described in January 2026: 1. It is India's first free trade agreement with a group of developed countries. 2. It carries an agreed ambition of USD 100 billion in investments into India. 3. It aims to support the creation of one million direct jobs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Commerce): all three are correct.