Odisha Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many blocks are on offer in the seventh tranche of critical and strategic mineral auctions launched on 23 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 19
The 7th tranche offers 19 blocks across 10 States; 46 is the number auctioned in the earlier six tranches and 24 the number of notified critical and strategic minerals.
Consider the following about auctions of critical and strategic minerals: 1. The MMDR Act was amended on 17 August 2023 to notify 24 minerals as critical and strategic and let the Centre auction them. 2. The Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2026 allow an Insurance Surety Bond as an alternative to a bank guarantee. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Mines releases of 22 and 23 March 2026.
'Bindu', launched by the Odisha CM on World Water Day 2026, is:
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Correct answer: C — An AI-powered citizen feedback chatbot
'Bindu' is an AI-powered citizen feedback chatbot, launched as a pilot at the state's World Water Day event.
What was the total value of the 141 water resources projects unveiled by the Odisha CM on 22 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2,612 crore
The 141 projects were worth ₹2,612 crore: 17 new projects of ₹2,292 crore and 124 completed projects of about ₹320 crore.
Consider the following about Odisha's World Water Day event of 22 March 2026: 1. Foundation stones were laid for 17 projects worth ₹2,292 crore. 2. The state's Water Resources Department signed an MoU with the Central Water Commission. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: 17 projects worth ₹2,292 crore got foundation stones, and an MoU was signed with the Central Water Commission.
Pakhala, for which Odisha set a Guinness World Record in March 2026, is a traditional dish made of:
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Correct answer: A — Fermented rice
Pakhala is fermented rice; Odisha set the record for the largest serving of fermented rice (Pakhala).
The record Pakhala serving on 20 March 2026 was laid out in a design inspired by:
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Correct answer: B — The wheel of the Konark Sun Temple
The serving was spread over 2,500 sq ft in a design inspired by the wheel of the Konark Sun Temple.
Consider the following about Odisha's Pakhala record of 20 March 2026: 1. About 850 kg of rice was used to prepare the record serving. 2. The record was set at the Konark Sun Temple premises. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
About 850 kg of rice was used; the record was set at Panthanivas in Bhubaneswar, with only the layout inspired by the Konark wheel, so statement 2 is wrong.
Odisha's State Level Single Window Clearance Authority approved 23 industrial projects on 17 March 2026 with a total investment of:
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Correct answer: A — ₹4,510.65 crore
The 145th SLSWCA meeting approved 23 proposals worth ₹4,510.65 crore, expected to create 10,122 jobs.
Who chaired the 145th meeting of Odisha's State Level Single Window Clearance Authority on 17 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chief Secretary Anu Garg
The SLSWCA meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The fire in the trauma care ICU on 16 March 2026 that killed 12 patients occurred at which hospital?
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Correct answer: C — SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack
The fire broke out in the first-floor trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from PMNRF for the next of kin of each person killed in the Cuttack hospital fire?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Under Odisha's CM-KISAN scheme, mentioned by CM Mohan Charan Majhi on 13 March 2026, how much extra do eligible farmers get each year?
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Correct answer: D — ₹4,000 in two instalments
Majhi said CM-KISAN gives eligible farmers an additional ₹4,000 a year in two instalments, on top of PM-KISAN's ₹6,000.
Which State topped the 18 major States in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026, released on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Odisha
Odisha retained the top rank with a score of 73.1, ahead of Goa (54.7) and Jharkhand (50.5).
Which State ranked first among the North-Eastern and Himalayan States in the Fiscal Health Index 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh ranked first, followed by Uttarakhand and Tripura; Himachal Pradesh and Manipur were at the bottom.
Which major State was ranked last, with a score of 12.4, in the Fiscal Health Index 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Punjab
Punjab scored 12.4, the lowest among the 18 major States; Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Kerala were also in the bottom 'aspirational' group.
The Fiscal Health Index 2026 assesses the fiscal performance of States for which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2023–24
The second edition, released in March 2026, ranks States on their finances for 2023–24; the first edition covered 2022–23.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026: 1. It ranks all 28 States together in a single list. 2. NITI Aayog noted that States account for nearly one-third of India's general government debt. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the 18 major States and the 10 North-Eastern and Himalayan States are ranked separately because of structural differences. Statement 2 is correct.
DiaCue, the rapid diagnostic kit supported by the Technology Development Board in March 2026, is meant to distinguish between which conditions?
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Correct answer: A — Bacterial and non-bacterial childhood diarrhoea
DiaCue, by BabyCue Pvt Ltd of Cuttack, differentiates bacterial from non-bacterial diarrhoea in children.
The 57th Raising Day ceremony of the CISF, attended by Amit Shah on 6 March 2026, was held at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Mundali, Odisha
Amit Shah addressed the CISF's 57th Raising Day ceremony at Mundali, Odisha.
According to Amit Shah on 6 March 2026, how many airports does the CISF secure?
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Correct answer: C — 70
He said the CISF secures 361 vital installations, including 70 airports.
Consider the following statements about the CISF, as stated at its 57th Raising Day: 1. It has been designated the nodal agency for drone security. 2. It will now also be responsible for the security of the country's ports. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Amit Shah said the CISF is the nodal agency for drone security and will also secure the country's ports.
The Capital Region Ring Road project, for which NHAI issued Letters of Award in March 2026, is being built around which city?
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Correct answer: B — Bhubaneswar
The 111-km Capital Region Ring Road is also called the Bhubaneswar Bypass, in Odisha.
Under which model will the Bhubaneswar Capital Region Ring Road be built?
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Correct answer: C — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The 111-km road will be built in three packages under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).
Consider the following statements about the Capital Region Ring Road (Bhubaneswar Bypass): 1. It runs for 111 km from Rameshwar to Tangi. 2. It is a four-lane brownfield upgrade of an existing highway. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The project is a six-lane access-controlled greenfield road with a design speed of 100 kmph.
From which test range did DRDO conduct three successive flight trials of VSHORADS, announced on 27 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
The trials were conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
Which DRDO laboratory designed and developed VSHORADS?
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Correct answer: D — Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
VSHORADS was designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat with other DRDO labs and industry partners.
At which port did the Centre approve a ₹797 crore green hydrogen jetty in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Paradip
The dedicated green hydrogen, ammonia and liquid cargo jetty is at Paradip Port, Odisha.
What is the handling capacity of the green hydrogen jetty approved at Paradip Port in February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 4 MTPA
The facility will have a handling capacity of 4.0 million tonnes per annum and will be built on a BOT basis.
Consider the following statements about the National Green Hydrogen Mission: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2023 with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore. 2. It targets green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT per annum by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Cabinet approved the Mission on 4 January 2023 (₹19,744 crore, of which ₹17,490 crore is for the SIGHT programme), targeting at least 5 MMT per annum by 2030.
How many stamps were in the 'Puppets of India' commemorative set released by the Department of Posts on 13 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 8
The set has eight stamps, each showing a traditional puppetry form.
Match the puppetry form with its state as shown on the 'Puppets of India' stamps: 1. Tolu Bommalatta 2. Pavakathakali 3. Kathi Kundhei Select the correct option:
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Correct answer: A — 1-Andhra Pradesh, 2-Kerala, 3-Odisha
Tolu Bommalatta is from Andhra Pradesh, Pavakathakali from Kerala and Kathi Kundhei from Odisha.
Before which date did Amit Shah say, at the Raipur review of 8 February 2026, that India will become completely Naxal-free?
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Correct answer: B — 31 March 2026
He said the country will become completely Naxal-free before 31 March 2026.
In which city did Amit Shah chair the Left Wing Extremism security review meeting on 8 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Raipur
The meeting was held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The Home Secretaries and DGPs of which of these states were NOT among those listed by MHA as attending the Raipur LWE review of 8 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bihar
MHA listed Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra; Bihar was not on the list.
Agni-3, test-fired from Chandipur on 6 February 2026, is classified by the Defence Ministry as a(n):
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Correct answer: D — Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
The Defence Ministry described Agni-3 as an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile.
The Black Swan Summit India addressed by President Murmu on 6 February 2026 was held in:
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Correct answer: A — Bhubaneswar
It was held in Bhubaneswar, organised by the Odisha government with the Global Finance and Technology Network.
How many vacancies did UPSC announce for the Civil Services Examination 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 933
The 2026 notification carries 933 Civil Services vacancies; the Indian Forest Service has 80.
Which three cities were added as UPSC Civil Services Mains examination centres for 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bhubaneswar, Srinagar, Imphal
Mains centres rose from 24 to 27 with Bhubaneswar, Srinagar and Imphal; Meerut, Kanpur and Bhubaneswar were added for Prelims.
Consider the following about the Union Public Service Commission under Article 316 of the Constitution: 1. The Chairman and other members of the Union Commission are appointed by the President. 2. A member of the Union Commission holds office for six years or until attaining the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. For the Union Commission the age limit in Article 316(2) is 65 years; 62 years applies to State Commissions.
From where did DRDO demonstrate Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
The SFDR demonstration was carried out from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
According to DRDO, SFDR technology mainly enables the development of which type of missile?
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Correct answer: D — Long-range air-to-air missiles
DRDO said SFDR enables developing long-range air-to-air missiles to give a tactical edge.
Which of the following was NOT listed among the SFDR subsystems that performed as expected on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Cryogenic upper stage
The listed subsystems were the nozzle-less booster, the SFDR motor and the fuel flow controller. A cryogenic stage is a rocket technology, not part of SFDR.
Consider the following about the SFDR demonstration of February 2026: 1. The system was first propelled to the desired Mach number by a ground booster motor. 2. Its performance was confirmed by tracking instruments deployed along the Arabian Sea coast. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ITR Chandipur's tracking instruments were deployed along the Bay of Bengal coast.
Which port authority won the first prize at the Ports Ministry's Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025, presented on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Paradip Port Authority
Paradip Port Authority won the first prize; Chairman P.L. Haranadh received it.
What outlay did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce for Biopharma SHAKTI?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Biopharma SHAKTI has an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years.
Which of the following states is NOT among those to be supported by the dedicated Rare Earth Corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — Jharkhand
The Rare Earth Corridors will support Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
To what amount did the Union Budget 2026-27 raise the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?
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Correct answer: B — ₹40,000 crore
The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay was increased to ₹40,000 crore.
Consider the following about Biopharma SHAKTI, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. It includes creating three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and upgrading seven existing ones. 2. It plans a network of over 1,000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
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.
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.
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).
Which team won the Men's Hockey India League 2026 title on 26 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
TOI, ESPN and Khel Now: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers beat Ranchi Royals 3-2 in the final at Bhubaneswar.
Which drag-flicker scored twice for Kalinga Lancers in the Men's HIL 2026 final?
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Correct answer: B — Alexander Hendrickx
TOI and ESPN: Belgian drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx struck twice with drag-flicks.
Who finished as the top scorer of the Men's Hockey India League 2026 with 19 goals?
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Correct answer: B — Tom Boon
TOI and ESPN: Ranchi Royals' Tom Boon finished with 19 goals, the highest in the tournament.
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.
As stated on its 65th Foundation Day in January 2026, Paradip Port is India's largest major port in terms of:
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Correct answer: A — Rated capacity
PIB (MoPSW): the PPA Chairman said Paradip is currently the largest major port in terms of rated capacity.
In which year was the foundation stone of Paradip Port laid, the anniversary marked on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1962
PIB (MoPSW): Paradip Port Authority's foundation stone was laid on 3 January 1962.
'Sweekruti', launched by a state government on 1 January 2026, is an umbrella welfare scheme for which group?
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Correct answer: B — Transgender persons
New Indian Express and Kalinga TV: Odisha's Sweekruti is a rights-based umbrella scheme for the welfare and empowerment of transgender persons.
Under Odisha's Sweekruti scheme, how much monthly assistance do parents or guardians of transgender children receive until the child turns 18?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1,500
Sambad English and Kalinga TV: parents or guardians of transgender children receive ₹1,500 a month until the child attains 18 years.
The NH-326 upgrade approved by the Cabinet in December 2025 will mainly benefit which districts of southern Odisha?
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Correct answer: A — Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput
PIB (Cabinet): the upgrade of NH-326 will particularly benefit the districts of Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput.
What is the total capital cost of the NH-326 Mohana–Koraput upgrade approved by the Cabinet on 31 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,526.21 crore
PIB (Cabinet): total capital cost is ₹1,526.21 crore, including civil construction cost of ₹966.79 crore.
Where was Odisha's 52nd State-Level Children's Science Exhibition inaugurated on 27 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Keonjhar
The Times of India and The New Indian Express: CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the exhibition at D.N. High School, Keonjhar.
Which edition of Odisha's State-Level Children's Science Exhibition (Baal Baigyanik Pradarshani) was held in Keonjhar in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 52nd
The Times of India and The New Indian Express: it was the 52nd state-level children's science exhibition.
The Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav 2025, inaugurated on 26 December 2025, was held in which Odisha district?
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Correct answer: B — Keonjhar
Pragativadi and The Orissa Today: CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav at the foothills of Gonasika in Keonjhar.
While opening the Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav 2025, the Odisha CM said the state has how many Scheduled Tribe communities?
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Correct answer: C — 62
Pragativadi and The Orissa Today: Majhi said tribal culture, with 62 Scheduled Tribe communities, is inseparable from Odisha's identity.