1) Answer: B
Short Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to launch a digital platform called SEBI SETU to expand the base of Investment Advisers (IAs) in India.
SEBI SETU will act as a single-window interface to simplify registration and compliance processes for advisers.
Detailed Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to launch a digital platform called SEBI SETU to expand the base of Investment Advisers (IAs) in India.
SEBI SETU will act as a single-window interface to simplify registration and compliance processes for advisers.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between over 22 crore demat accounts and less than 1,000 registered investment advisers, highlighting the need for a larger advisory base.
The platform will provide end-to-end regulatory guidance, from registration to ongoing compliance, making it easier for professionals to enter the advisory space.
The move comes amid a surge in retail investor participation, necessitating better access to regulated financial advice.
2) Answer: C
Short Explanation:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched a new income tax website and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered assistant ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing procedures.
The launch coincides with the nationwide awareness campaign PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat).
Detailed Explanation:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched a new income tax website and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered assistant ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing procedures.
The launch coincides with the nationwide awareness campaign PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat).
The ‘Kar Saathi’ portal provides 24×7 assistance to taxpayers for queries and compliance under the Income Tax Act, 2025.
It features an AI chatbot offering real-time responses and tax-related information in Hindi and English, improving user accessibility.
The new website acts as a unified platform, consolidating income tax forms, filing procedures, and guidelines in one place.
The portal helps taxpayers understand processes like filing returns, updated provisions, and form navigation without relying on in-person support.
3) Answer: A
Short Explanation:
India’s leading stock exchange,the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX) to launch India’s first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark with an aim to improve risk management in the gas market.
The initiative has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), with the launch date to be announced soon.
Detailed Explanation:
India’s leading stock exchange,the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX) to launch India’s first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark with an aim to improve risk management in the gas market.
The initiative has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), with the launch date to be announced soon.
NSE will introduce Indian Natural Gas Futures contracts based on the Gas IndeX of India (GIXI) developed by IGX.
The pricing of these derivatives will be linked to actual trades on the IGX platform, ensuring transparent price discovery.
The initiative aims to provide efficient risk management tools for producers, consumers, financial institutions, brokers, and investors.
It will enhance market efficiency, liquidity, and transparency in India’s natural gas market.
4) Answer: C
Short Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) for state government market borrowings on a pilot basis from FY27.
The pilot covers 9 States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Under BIS, states will issue State Development Loans (SDLs) in specific benchmark tenor buckets as per a pre-announced borrowing calendar.
Detailed Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) for state government market borrowings on a pilot basis from FY27.
The pilot covers 9 States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Under BIS, states will issue State Development Loans (SDLs) in specific benchmark tenor buckets as per a pre-announced borrowing calendar.
The objective of BIS is to enhance transparency, liquidity, and price discovery in the SDL market.
The total market borrowing by States/UTs for Q1 FY27 is estimated at around ₹2.54 lakh crore, lower than ₹2.73 lakh crore in Q1 FY26.
Of this, the 9 BIS states will collectively borrow about ₹1.54 lakh crore, while the remaining states/UTs will borrow around ₹1.00 lakh crore.
The borrowing estimate of ₹2.54 lakh crore (₹2,54,509 crore) is lower than market expectations of ₹2.75–3 lakh crore.
5) Answer: D
Short Explanation:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the ‘Know Your Candidates (KYC)’ feature on the ECINet platform ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, aiming to enhance transparency and enable voters to access verified candidate information.
The feature has been introduced in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.
The platform also allows users to download the official Form 26 affidavit, which is mandatorily submitted by candidates during the nomination process.
Detailed Explanation:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the ‘Know Your Candidates (KYC)’ feature on the ECINet platform ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, aiming to enhance transparency and enable voters to access verified candidate information.
The feature has been introduced in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.
The Know Your Candidates module enables voters to access comprehensive background details of contesting candidates, supporting informed electoral decision-making.
Through this feature, voters can verify criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities, educational qualifications, and verified social media profiles of candidates.
The platform also allows users to download the official Form 26 affidavit, which is mandatorily submitted by candidates during the nomination process.
The ECINet platform is described as the world’s largest electoral service interface, integrating more than 40 applications and portals into a single digital system.
6) Answer: A
Short Explanation:
From 1st April 2026, fuel stations across India began supplying 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) nationwide as per directives of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Detailed Explanation:
From 1st April 2026, fuel stations across India began supplying 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) nationwide as per directives of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The rollout of E20 petrol marks a major step towards clean and sustainable mobility, aiming to reduce pollution, cut crude oil imports and strengthen India’s energy security.
The Government of India made E20 petrol the standard fuel across all States and Union Territories, ensuring uniform fuel quality nationwide.
The oil marketing companies were directed to ensure supply of E20 petrol in compliance with norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
E20 petrol is a blend consisting of:
80% petrol
20% ethanol (biofuel)
Ethanol used in blending is produced from agricultural sources such as:
Sugarcane
Maize
Other grains
7) Answer: E
Short Explanation:
The Ministry of Textiles extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme till 30th September 2026 to support the export potential of India’s textile sector, particularly amid global demand uncertainty.
The extension aims to provide stability to exporters, support labour-intensive textile industries, enhance global competitiveness, and strengthen India’s position in international textile markets.
Detailed Explanation:
The Ministry of Textiles extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme till 30th September 2026 to support the export potential of India’s textile sector, particularly amid global demand uncertainty.
The extension aims to provide stability to exporters, support labour-intensive textile industries, enhance global competitiveness, and strengthen India’s position in international textile markets.
The continuation of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme ensures that exporters of garments and made-ups continue to receive financial support to offset embedded taxes and levies.
The scheme helps reimburse hidden state and central taxes and duties not refunded under any other mechanism, thereby reducing the cost burden on exporters.
The Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme was introduced in March 2019, replacing the earlier Rebate of State Levies (RoSL) Scheme.
8) Answer: B
Short Explanation:
The painting Yashoda and Krishna by Raja Ravi Varma became the most expensive artwork ever sold in India, after being auctioned for ₹167.20 crore (approximately United States Dollar 17.98 million) in Mumbai.
Detailed Explanation:
The painting Yashoda and Krishna by Raja Ravi Varma became the most expensive artwork ever sold in India, after being auctioned for ₹167.20 crore (approximately United States Dollar 17.98 million) in Mumbai.
The painting was created in the 1890s and the sale has set a new benchmark for Indian artworks at global auction markets, highlighting the growing international recognition of India’s artistic heritage.
The record surpassed the previous benchmark set by artworks of Maqbool Fida Husain, whose paintings earlier dominated high-value auctions in India.
The artwork depicts a mythological scene of Yashoda milking a cow while Lord Krishna playfully reaches for a goblet of milk, reflecting emotional depth, realism, and devotional storytelling.
The painting was purchased by Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Chairman of Serum Institute of India, who described the painting as a national treasure and expressed commitment to preserve it and make it available periodically for public viewing.
9) Answer: B
Short Explanation:
Min Aung Hlaing, former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union).
Detailed Explanation:
Min Aung Hlaing, former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union).
The election was held in a parliament dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and appointed armed forces representatives.
Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 out of 584 votes, achieving a clear majority to become President of Myanmar.
Nan Ni Ni Aye (MP from Karen State) and U Nyo Saw were elected as Vice-Presidents of Myanmar.
10) Answer: D
Short Explanation:
Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day at Bikaner, Rajasthan on April 4, 2026.
The project was raised in 1980 and has completed over four decades of dedicated service in the strategically important western sector.
The project covers over 4,000 km of road network and 214 km of Ditch Cum Bund, supporting defence and border management.
Detailed Explanation:
Project Chetak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 47th Raising Day at Bikaner, Rajasthan on April 4, 2026.
The project was raised in 1980 and has completed over four decades of dedicated service in the strategically important western sector.
Project Chetak plays a crucial role in infrastructure development and maintenance across Rajasthan, Punjab, and northern Gujarat, enhancing border connectivity and national security.
With the motto ‘Chetak ka Prayas, Desh ka Vikas’, it is one of the largest BRO projects in terms of geographical coverage.
The project covers over 4,000 km of road network and 214 km of Ditch Cum Bund, supporting defence and border management.
It provides critical feeder roads to the International Border, aiding the Defence Forces in strategic mobility.