Q.1) National Vaccination Day in India is observed every year on:
[a] 12 January
[b] 16 March
[c] 7 April
[d] 5 June
View Answer
Answer: [b] 16 March
Explanation:
National Vaccination Day is observed annually on 16 March in India to commemorate the first administration of the oral polio vaccine in 1995, which marked a significant step in India’s fight against Polio. The day aims to raise awareness about the role of vaccines in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases, including Tuberculosis, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. It also highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to vaccines for people of all age groups. The theme for 2026, “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” focuses on expanding immunisation coverage and strengthening public health systems.
Q.2) The Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honour given by the BCCI, was conferred in 2026 on which two cricketers?
[a] Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar
[b] Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid
[c] Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly
[d] Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman
View Answer
Answer: [b] Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid
Explanation:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) presented the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest honour, to Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid at the Naman Awards 2026. The award recognises individuals who have made exceptional and long-term contributions to Indian cricket. In the same ceremony, former Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj received the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women, acknowledging her pioneering role in promoting women’s cricket and her outstanding international career.
Q.3) Which authority issues licences and registrations to food businesses in India, recently granted lifetime validity?
[a] National Health Authority
[b] Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
[c] Bureau of Indian Standards
[d] Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
View Answer
Answer: [b] Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Explanation:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved reforms granting lifetime validity to licences and registrations issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The reform aims to simplify compliance requirements and improve ease of doing business for food operators. Additionally, street food vendors registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be automatically treated as registered under FSSAI, reducing procedural hurdles. This step is expected to benefit over 10 lakh street vendors across the country while ensuring food safety compliance.
Q.4) Inland waterways projects worth ₹526 crore were launched in Assam to strengthen infrastructure along which river?
[a] Ganga
[b] Brahmaputra
[c] Godavari
[d] Narmada
View Answer
Answer: [b] Brahmaputra
Explanation:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched inland waterways projects worth ₹526 crore in Assam to improve logistics and connectivity along the Brahmaputra River. These projects are implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and focus on strengthening infrastructure on National Waterway 2, which runs along the Brahmaputra. A major highlight is the ₹180-crore elevated corridor connecting Pandu Port to National Highway 27, ensuring better last-mile connectivity between river transport and road networks and reducing congestion in Guwahati.
Q.5) Yoga Mahotsav–2026 was organised to mark the 100-day countdown to which global observance?
[a] World Health Day
[b] International Day of Yoga
[c] World Meditation Day
[d] International Ayurveda Day
View Answer
Answer: [b] International Day of Yoga
Explanation:
Yoga Mahotsav 2026 was inaugurated by the Government in New Delhi to begin the 100-day countdown to the 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026. The event aims to raise awareness about yoga’s role in promoting health and preventing lifestyle diseases. During the event, the Ministry of Ayush launched “10 Yoga Protocols for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Target Groups.” These protocols provide structured yoga practices tailored for different health conditions and age groups. The initiative aims to expand yoga’s role in preventive healthcare and holistic well-being globally.
Q.6) The Purple Fest, recently organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan, aims to promote inclusion of which group in society?
[a] Senior citizens
[b] Tribal communities
[c] Persons with disabilities (Divyangjan)
[d] Women entrepreneurs
View Answer
Answer: [c] Persons with disabilities (Divyangjan)
Explanation:
The Purple Fest was organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan to celebrate and empower Divyangjan (persons with disabilities). The event was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to promote awareness, social inclusion, and recognition of the talents and achievements of persons with disabilities. During the event, more than 8,000 Divyangjan visited Amrit Udyan, participating in various activities, games, and interactive programmes organised by different institutions working for disability inclusion. The festival highlights the government’s efforts to promote equal opportunities, dignity, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Q.7) The CE20 cryogenic engine, recently tested by ISRO, powers the upper stage of which launch vehicle?
[a] PSLV
[b] GSLV Mk II
[c] LVM3
[d] SSLV
View Answer
Answer: [c] LVM3
Explanation:
The Indian Space Research Organisation conducted a successful ground test of the CE20 cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri. The engine ran for 165 seconds and produced approximately 22 tonnes of thrust, validating its enhanced performance. The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of the LVM3, India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying large satellites into orbit. The engine has also been human-rated for the Gaganyaan Mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts to space.
Q.8) Why is Pi Day celebrated on 14 March every year?
[a] It marks the birthday of a famous mathematician
[b] The date corresponds to the first three digits of the mathematical constant π
[c] It commemorates the discovery of calculus
[d] It marks the founding of UNESCO
View Answer
Answer: [b] The date corresponds to the first three digits of the mathematical constant π
Explanation:
Pi Day is celebrated every year on 14 March because the first three digits of the mathematical constant Pi (π) are 3.14, corresponding to the date 3/14. The celebration started in 1988 to recognise the significance of π in mathematics and science. Later, UNESCO officially declared 14 March as International Mathematics Day in 2019 to promote global awareness of mathematics and its role in innovation, education, and scientific progress. Today, Pi Day and International Mathematics Day are often celebrated together with activities such as math competitions, educational events, and public lectures.
Q.9) Exercise Freedom Shield is a joint military exercise conducted between which two countries?
[a] United States and Japan
[b] United States and South Korea
[c] South Korea and Australia
[d] United States and Philippines
View Answer
Answer: [b] United States and South Korea
Explanation:
The Freedom Shield is an annual joint military exercise conducted by the United States and South Korea. The exercise involves thousands of troops and multi-domain training, covering land, sea, air, cyber and space operations to improve combined military readiness. It reflects the Korea Theater of Operations and includes command-post exercises and field drills. Despite being described as defensive, North Korea frequently criticises the drills as a provocation. A key objective of the exercise is to support preparations for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to South Korea.
Q.10) The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed globally on which date?
[a] 21 March
[b] 15 March
[c] 10 December
[d] 1 June
View Answer
Answer: [b] 15 March
Explanation:
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia was designated by the United Nations in 2022 and is observed every year on 15 March. The date commemorates the Christchurch mosque shootings that took place in Christchurch on 15 March 2019, where a gunman attacked two mosques during Friday prayers, killing 51 people. The observance aims to raise awareness about Islamophobia, promote religious tolerance, and encourage collective action against discrimination, hatred, and violence targeting Muslim communities worldwide.
Q.11) The Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems 2026 (GCWAS–2026) was organised at which institution’s convention centre?
[a] Indian Agricultural Research Institute
[b] Indian Council of Agricultural Research
[c] National Dairy Development Board
[d] Food Corporation of India
View Answer
Answer: [b] Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Explanation:
The Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems 2026 (GCWAS–2026) was organised at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Convention Centre in New Delhi. The conference brought together over 700 participants from India and across the world, including policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and women farmers. The event was organised by ICAR, the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, CGIAR, and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority. Its theme, “Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights”, highlights the growing global recognition of women’s role in agriculture, food security, and sustainable agri-food systems.
Q.12) The Reserve Bank of India launched the ‘Awareness Program on Digital Payments’ during which event?
[a] Financial Literacy Week
[b] Digital Payments Awareness Week
[c] National Digital India Week
[d] Banking Inclusion Week
View Answer
Answer: [b] Digital Payments Awareness Week
Explanation:
RBI launched the Awareness Program on Digital Payments as part of the 6th Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) held from 9–13 March 2026. The initiative was launched by Sanjay Malhotra to promote secure, responsible, and wider adoption of digital payment systems. The programme will begin as a pilot in Maharashtra, implemented with support from CSC e-Governance Services India Limited. Through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), the initiative aims to reach around 10 lakh participants in rural and semi-urban areas. RBI also launched the “Thoda Dhyan Se” campaign to raise awareness about digital payment fraud prevention and safe online transaction practices.