Punjab Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Of the XV Finance Commission untied grants released to rural local bodies of four states (March 2026), which state received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: A — Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh received ₹631.91 crore, ahead of Jharkhand (₹269.03 crore), Punjab (₹222 crore) and Mizoram (₹14.80 crore).
In Mizoram, the XV Finance Commission rural grants released in March 2026 went to which type of local body?
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Correct answer: B — Village Councils
Mizoram's ₹14.80 crore went to all 816 eligible Village Councils – Mizoram's rural local bodies.
The Japanese ODA package of March 2026 (JPY 275.858 billion) covers projects in which three states?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab
The four projects are in Maharashtra (Mumbai Metro Line 11, healthcare), Karnataka (Bengaluru Metro Phase 3) and Punjab (horticulture).
Which project received the largest share of the Japanese ODA loans committed to India on 24 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase 3 (I)
Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) got JPY 102.480 billion, ahead of Mumbai Metro Line 11 (JPY 92.400 billion), Maharashtra health (JPY 62.294 billion) and Punjab horticulture (JPY 18.684 billion).
Consider the following about the Japanese ODA-funded metro projects (March 2026): 1. Mumbai Metro Line 11 (I) covers about 17.51 km with 14 underground stations. 2. Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) covers about 44.65 km with 31 underground stations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Bengaluru Phase 3 has 31 elevated (not underground) stations over about 44.65 km; Mumbai Line 11 has 14 underground stations over about 17.51 km.
In March 2026, Punjab announced a ₹563 crore medical college with 100 MBBS seats in which town?
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Correct answer: C — Malerkotla
CM Bhagwant Mann announced the medical college in Malerkotla on Eid, 21 March 2026.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, mentioned by the CM in Malerkotla, families can get cashless treatment of up to:
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Correct answer: D — ₹10 lakh
The CM urged families to enrol for cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.
According to NITI Aayog's March 2026 report, India's current share of global sports equipment exports is about:
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Correct answer: A — 0.5%
India exports about $275 million of sports equipment a year, around 0.5% of the global export market; 11% is the 2036 potential.
Consider the following about NITI Aayog's report on sports equipment manufacturing (March 2026): 1. Nearly half of the sector's production comes from large enterprises. 2. The existing clusters recommended for modernisation are Ludhiana and Kanpur. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: nearly 90% of production is by small and micro enterprises, and the clusters to be modernised are Meerut and Jalandhar.
From RMS 2026-27, the commission payable to Arthiyas for wheat procurement in Punjab and Haryana has been raised to:
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Correct answer: A — ₹50.75 per quintal
The Arthiya commission on wheat in Punjab and Haryana rises from ₹46.00 to ₹50.75 per quintal; ₹45.67 is for wheat in Rajasthan and ₹50.61 for paddy.
Under the revised procurement commission structure from RMS 2026-27, procurement carried out at modern silos will earn:
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Correct answer: B — 50% of the mandi rate
For procurement at modern silos, the commission payable will be 50% of the rate applicable in mandis.
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.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana announced in the Budget 2026–27, how much will Scheduled Caste women receive per month?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,500
SC women will get ₹1,500 a month, while other eligible adult women will get ₹1,000.
What outlay has Punjab earmarked for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana in 2026–27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹9,300 crore
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema earmarked ₹9,300 crore for the scheme in 2026–27.
Who presented the Punjab Budget 2026–27 in the state Assembly on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Harpal Singh Cheema
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the Budget on International Women's Day.
The Punjab Cabinet on 7 March 2026 approved a world-class university named after Sri Guru Teg Bahadur at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Cabinet approved the Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Sri Anandpur Sahib and its draft Bill.
The Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 approved by the Punjab Cabinet comes under which flagship initiative?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Udyog Kranti
The policy and its sector-specific schemes were approved under the 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' initiative.
As cited by CAQM on 16 February 2026, which state recorded the most fire events during the 2025 wheat harvesting season (1 April–31 May)?
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Correct answer: D — Punjab
Punjab recorded 10,207 fire events, against 1,832 in Haryana and 259 in the NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The XV FC grants of over ₹1,133 crore announced on 6 February 2026 went to panchayats in which three states?
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Correct answer: D — Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana
The grants were released to Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana.
Consider the following about the Finance Commission under Article 280 of the Constitution: 1. It consists of a Chairman and four other members appointed by the President. 2. It recommends measures to augment a state's Consolidated Fund to supplement the resources of panchayats, based on the State Finance Commission's recommendations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 280(1) provides for a Chairman and four other members, and Article 280(3)(bb) covers measures to supplement panchayat resources.
Under which scheme are the six sports infrastructure projects whose foundation stones were laid on 3 February 2026 being implemented?
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Correct answer: A — Khelo India Scheme
The six projects, costing ₹82 crore, are under the Khelo India Scheme with SAI support.
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.
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.
Under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, coal-based thermal plants must use a minimum blend of crop-residue pellets or briquettes of:
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Correct answer: A — 5%
PIB 2207853: the 2023 Rules mandate all coal-based TPPs to use a minimum 5% blend of biomass pellets or briquettes made of crop residue along with coal.
Which thermal power plant faced the largest proposed environmental compensation in CAQM's show cause notices of December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, Mansa
PIB 2207853: Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (Vedanta), Mansa, Punjab faced a proposed EC of about ₹33.02 crore, the highest of the six.
Which of the following was NOT among the places notified as 'holy cities' by Punjab on 15 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Fatehgarh Sahib
The Tribune and Punjab Sarokar: the notification covers the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. Fatehgarh Sahib is not among them.
The resolution to declare three Punjab towns as holy cities, notified on 15 December 2025, was adopted at a Punjab Vidhan Sabha session held at which place?
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Correct answer: C — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Tribune and Babushahi: the decision was taken as a resolution during the session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha held at Sri Anandpur Sahib, and the notification followed the Governor's approval.
How many paddy stubble-burning incidents did Punjab record in the 2025 harvesting season?
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Correct answer: C — 5,114
PIB 2197201: Punjab recorded 5,114 incidents in 2025, a 53% reduction over 2024; Haryana logged 662.
Paddy stubble-burning events in Punjab and Haryana are officially monitored every year during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 15 September to 30 November
PIB 2197201: recording and monitoring is carried out annually from 15 September to 30 November as per the standard protocol developed by ISRO.
In November 2025 the Centre announced an investment of ₹4,500 crore to modernise the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) located at:
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Correct answer: A — Mohali
Ashwini Vaishnaw announced ₹4,500 crore to upgrade and expand SCL, Mohali, and said it will not be privatised.
The 28 student-designed chips handed over at SCL Mohali in November 2025 were made under which programme?
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Correct answer: B — Chips to Start-up (C2S)
The chips were designed with EDA tools provided under the Chips to Start-up (C2S) programme.
How many years did the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan complete in November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 5
NMBA completed five years on 18 November 2025.
Where was the national celebration of five years of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan held?
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Correct answer: A — Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
The celebration was held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Where was the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held on 17 November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Faridabad
Amit Shah chaired the 32nd NZC meeting in Faridabad, Haryana.
According to Amit Shah at the 32nd NZC meeting, what share of the issues discussed in Zonal Council meetings so far has been resolved?
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Correct answer: C — 81.43%
1,303 of the 1,600 issues discussed — 81.43% — have been resolved.
Which of the following Vande Bharat Express trains was flagged off by PM Modi from Varanasi on 8 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Banaras–Khajuraho
The four trains were Banaras–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi, Lucknow–Saharanpur and Ernakulam–Bengaluru.
With the four new trains flagged off on 8 November 2025, the number of operational Vande Bharat trains in India crossed which figure?
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Correct answer: C — 160
PM Modi said that with these four trains, the total number of operational Vande Bharat trains had exceeded 160.
Consider the following trains: 1. Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat 2. Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Which of the above was/were among the four Vande Bharat trains flagged off from Varanasi on 8 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Lucknow–Saharanpur was among the four (with Banaras–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi and Ernakulam–Bengaluru); Patna–Howrah was not.
How many stubble burning incidents did Punjab record between 15 September and 6 November 2025, as noted by CAQM?
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Correct answer: C — 3,284
Punjab recorded 3,284 incidents against 5,041 in the same period of 2024; Haryana reported 206 against 888.
How many farm fire incidents did Haryana report between 15 September and 6 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 206
Haryana reported 206 farm fires, against 888 in the same period of 2024, which CAQM credited to incentives and enforcement.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): 1. It is constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. 2. The Act dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the National Capital Region. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The CAQM Act, 2021 (Act 29 of 2021) provides for constituting the Commission; it repealed the 1998 order setting up EPCA and dissolved the EPCA for NCR (India Code, PRS).
Haryana, which celebrates Haryana Day on 1 November, was formed in 1966 under which Act?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
Section 3 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 formed the State of Haryana on the appointed day, 1 November 1966.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Union Territory of Chandigarh was formed on 1 November 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. 2. 1 November 2000 was notified as the appointed day of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, which created Chhattisgarh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Section 4 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 formed the UT of Chandigarh on 1 November 1966, and MHA notified 1 November 2000 as the appointed day of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000.
Under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the new State of Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 from which existing State?
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Correct answer: D — Travancore-Cochin
The Act defines the new State of Kerala as corresponding to the existing State of Travancore-Cochin.
At the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav in Nava Raipur on 1 November 2025, marking 25 years of the state, the PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over:
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Correct answer: A — ₹14,260 crore
PIB reported that the PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over ₹14,260 crore covering roads, industry, healthcare and energy.
In which city did IEPFA and SEBI hold a 'Niveshak Shivir' on 1 November 2025, after earlier editions in Pune and Hyderabad?
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Correct answer: D — Amritsar
The Niveshak Shivir was held in Amritsar, Punjab, on 1 November 2025.
Which State is ranked first in Category A of the State Mining Readiness Index released by the Ministry of Mines in October 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Madhya Pradesh
PIB: the top three in Category A are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Which States are the top three in Category C of the State Mining Readiness Index?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab, Uttarakhand and Tripura
PIB: in Category C, the top three ranks were obtained by Punjab, Uttarakhand and Tripura; Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Assam top Category B.
Consider the following statements about the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI): 1. Its release fulfils an announcement made in the Union Budget 2025-26. 2. Its indicators pertain mainly to coal and lignite blocks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: SMRI fulfils the Union Budget 2025-26 announcement; its indicators — auction performance, early mine operationalisation, exploration and sustainable mining — pertain to non-coal minerals.
At the 10 October 2025 review of Delhi-NCR air pollution, which app was designated as the single online app for disseminating the Air Quality Index?
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Correct answer: C — SAMEER
PIB: Bhupender Yadav suggested that the SAMEER app will be the single online app for disseminating the Air Quality Index and directed CAQM to issue instructions accordingly.
Consider the following statements about the Delhi-NCR air pollution review of 10 October 2025: 1. The Minister reviewed the installation of OCEMS in Orange Category industries only. 2. Paddy straw management was reviewed in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. PIB: OCEMS installation was reviewed in Red Category and 17 categories of polluting industries, and paddy straw management was reviewed in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Phulkari, a GI-tagged craft of Punjab mentioned in the October 2025 PIB explainer on GST reforms, is a form of:
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Correct answer: B — Embroidery
PIB: Phulkari, a GI-tagged craft practised mainly in Amritsar and Patiala, involves traditional embroidered garments and employs around 20,000 artisans.
According to the October 2025 PIB explainer on GST reforms in Punjab, which city is integral to the state's bicycle manufacturing industry?
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Correct answer: D — Ludhiana
PIB: Ludhiana is integral to Punjab's bicycle manufacturing, with the industry employing over 40,000 people directly and indirectly.
The Ghatsila (ST) Assembly constituency, where a bye-election was announced on 6 October 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Jharkhand
PIB (ECI): 45-Ghatsila (ST) in Jharkhand fell vacant on the death of Ramdas Soren.
Consider the following statements about the bye-elections announced on 6 October 2025: 1. The Budgam seat in Jammu and Kashmir fell vacant on the resignation of Omar Abdullah. 2. The Anta seat in Rajasthan fell vacant on the death of the sitting member. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB (ECI): 27-Budgam fell vacant on the resignation of Omar Abdullah; 193-Anta fell vacant on the disqualification of Kanwarlal.