Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 of  09th  April  2026. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2026 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) Under the RBI’s proposed revamp of the Business Correspondent (BC) model, what is the minimum working requirement for Business Correspondent–Banking Outlets (BC-BO)?

(a) 2 hours per day for 3 days a week

(b) 4 hours per day for at least 5 days a week

(c) 6 hours per day for 6 days a week

(d) 8 hours per day for 5 days a week

(e) No fixed working hours

2) The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) provides collateral-free loans up to what maximum limit for non-corporate, non-farm income-generating activities?

(a) ₹10 lakh

(b) ₹15 lakh

(c) ₹20 lakh

(d) ₹25 lakh

(e) ₹50 lakh

3) Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY):

1. PMMY operates on the pillars of Banking the Unbanked, Securing the Unsecured, and Funding the Unfunded.
2. Under PMMY, the ‘Tarun’ category provides loans up to ₹20 lakh.
3. ‘Shishu’ category covers loans up to ₹50,000.
4. MUDRA loans are limited only to the manufacturing sector.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

 1.  1 and 3 only

2.  1, 2 and 3 only

3.  1 and 4 only

4.  2, 3 and 4 only

5.  1, 2, 3 and 4

4) In news, Morgan Stanley has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY27 to what level?

(a) 5.9%

(b) 6.0%

(c) 6.1%

(d) 6.2%

(e) 6.8%

5) As of 2026, Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Limited (Bajaj Alts) has received SEBI approval to launch which of the following services?

(a) Mutual Fund Services

(b) Portfolio Management Services (PMS)

(c) Insurance Broking Services

(d) Pension Fund Services

(e) Commodity Trading Services

6) Consider the following statements regarding India’s coffee exports in FY 2025–26:

1. Coffee export value declined compared to FY25.
2. Export volumes increased to over 4 lakh tonnes.
3. Average export price decreased compared to the previous year.
4. Coffee exports crossed $2 billion for the first time.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

(e) 2 only

7) In 2026, the partnership between Razorpay and OpenAI introduces which concept enabling AI systems to autonomously complete financial transactions?

(a) Agentic Payments

(b) Smart Contracts

(c) Digital Wallet Payments

(d) Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

(e) Blockchain Payments

8) Consider the following statements regarding the UIDAI–MapmyIndia initiative:

1. UIDAI has partnered with MapmyIndia to display authorised Aadhaar centres on the Mappls App.
2. The feature will allow users to locate nearby Aadhaar centres and check available services.
3. The initiative has already been fully implemented and operational across India.
4. Users will be able to access services like enrolment and mobile number updates through identified centres.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 4

(e) 1 and 4 only

9) What is the full form of SAMPANN, recently adopted by the Government of Goa and Cochin Port Authority?

(a) System for Automated Monetary Pension and National Network

(b) Scheme for Account Management of Pension and New Network

(c) System for Accounting and Management of Pension

(d) Service for Authorised Management of Pension and Network

(e) Smart Accounting Mechanism for Pension and National Needs

 

10) Which country ranks second globally in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol?

(a) Spain

(b) Argentina

(c) France

(d) Panama

(e) Kenya

 

11) What is the total outlay allocated for the “Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon” campaign launched in Maharashtra?

(a) ₹50 crore

(b) ₹65.25 crore

(c) ₹67 crore

(d) ₹70 crore

(e) ₹75 crore

12) Who has assumed charge as Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC)?

(a) Tejveer Singh

(b) Nivedita Shukla Verma

(c) Ajay Seth

(d) Rajiv Gauba

(e) Arun Kumar

 

13) Which company has appointed Ranveer Singh as its first Brand Ambassador?

(a) Tata Steel

(b) JSW Steel

(c) Vedanta Limited

(d) SAIL

(e) Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL)

14) In 2026, Sunil Fernandes has been promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at which company?

(a) Coforge

(b) TCS

(c) Infosys

(d) Wipro

(e) HCLTech

15) As of 2026, the Indian Army’s ‘Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions’ was released by whom?

(a) Manoj Pande

(b) Rahul R Singh

(c) Anil Chauhan

(d) Upendra Dwivedi

(e) Bipin Rawat

16) In 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a 14.286% stake in Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL) by which company?

(a) Blackstone Group

(b) Brookfield Asset Management

(c) Indriya Limited

(d) KKR & Co.

(e) Temasek Holdings

 

17 ) As of 2026, Microsoft has signed an MoU with which university to establish a Skill Centre in Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

(a) Delhi University

(b) Lovely Professional University

(c) Amity University

(d) Chandigarh University

(e) Jawaharlal Nehru University

 

18) As of February 2026, under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind–Aus ECTA), which of the following is correct?

(a) The agreement completed 3 years and trade stood at ₹1,50,000 crore

(b) The agreement completed 4 years and trade stood at ₹1,79,818 crore

(c) The agreement completed 5 years and trade stood at ₹2,00,000 crore

(d) The agreement completed 4 years and trade stood at ₹2,24,540 crore

(e) The agreement completed 3 years and trade stood at ₹1,79,818 crore

 

19) Which city recorded the highest pollution level in India in March 2026, according to Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), with an average PM2.5 concentration of 116 µg/m³?

(a) Ghaziabad

(b) Faridabad

(c) Bahadurgarh

(d) Noida

(e) Gurgaon

20) In 2026, Payal Nag, who became the first quadruple amputee to win an international gold medal in para-archery, hails from which Indian state?

(a) West Bengal

(b) Odisha

(c) Madhya Pradesh

(d) Bihar

(e) Rajasthan

Answers:

1) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a revamp of the Business Correspondent (BC) model to strengthen last-mile banking delivery and financial inclusion.

BC-BOs will function as fixed-point service units, offering branch-like banking services with minimum working hours of 4 hours per day for at least 5 days a week.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a revamp of the Business Correspondent (BC) model to strengthen last-mile banking delivery and financial inclusion.

The draft framework introduces a three-tier banking delivery structure: Bank Branches, Business Correspondent–Banking Outlets (BC-BO), and Business Correspondent–Banking Touchpoints (BC-BT).

The RBI has proposed classification of BCs into two categories (BC-BO and BC-BT) based on their functions, service scope, and operational structure, along with uniform wage and remuneration standards.

BC-BOs will function as fixed-point service units, offering branch-like banking services with minimum working hours of 4 hours per day for at least 5 days a week.

In contrast, BC-BTs will operate without fixed timings and will handle smaller-value transactions only, providing flexible and limited banking services.

Both BC-BOs and BC-BTs will work exclusively for a single bank, ensuring better control and accountability in service delivery.

2) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched by Narendra Modi on April 8, 2015, marking 11 years of success in empowering India’s grassroots entrepreneurs.

The scheme provides easy, collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities, aiming to bridge the gap in financial accessibility for small-scale business ventures.

Detailed Explanation:

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched by Narendra Modi on April 8, 2015, marking 11 years of success in empowering India’s grassroots entrepreneurs.

The scheme provides easy, collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities, aiming to bridge the gap in financial accessibility for small-scale business ventures.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are recognized as the backbone of India’s industrial ecosystem, supporting major corporations and driving balanced economic development.

PMMY is characterized by its mission to “Fund the Unfunded”, ensuring credit access to entrepreneurs traditionally excluded from the formal banking system.

According to Nirmala Sitharaman, over 57.79 crore loans have been sanctioned, amounting to ₹40.07 lakh crore in disbursements, with two-thirds of loans going to women entrepreneurs and approximately one-fifth extended to first-time entrepreneurs.

3) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

MUDRA loans are offered in four categories based on growth stage and funding needs:

Shishu: loans up to ₹50,000

Kishor: loans above ₹50,000 up to ₹5 lakh

Tarun: loans above ₹5 lakh up to ₹10 lakh

TarunPlus: loans above ₹10 lakh up to ₹20 lakh

Detailed Explanation:

PMMY operates on three pillars of financial inclusion: Banking the Unbanked, Securing the Unsecured, and Funding the Unfunded, leveraging technology and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

MUDRA loans are offered in four categories based on growth stage and funding needs:

Shishu: loans up to ₹50,000

Kishor: loans above ₹50,000 up to ₹5 lakh

Tarun: loans above ₹5 lakh up to ₹10 lakh

TarunPlus: loans above ₹10 lakh up to ₹20 lakh

Loans cover term financing and working capital needs across manufacturing, trading, service sectors, and allied agricultural activities like poultry, dairy, and beekeeping.

Interest rates are governed by RBI guidelines with flexible repayment terms to support entrepreneurs.

Achievements as on 27.03.2026:

Women borrowers: ₹9.02 lakh crore (Shishu), ₹6.22 lakh crore (Kishor), ₹1.09 lakh crore (Tarun)

Minority borrowers: ₹1.33 lakh crore (Shishu), ₹1.54 lakh crore (Kishor), ₹0.62 lakh crore (Tarun)

New entrepreneurs/accounts:

Shishu: 8.80 crore accounts, ₹2.47 lakh crore sanctioned, ₹2.42 lakh crore disbursed

Kishor: 2.79 crore accounts, ₹5.09 lakh crore sanctioned, ₹4.87 lakh crore disbursed

Tarun: 55 lakh accounts, ₹4.82 lakh crore sanctioned, ₹4.67 lakh crore disbursed

PMMY has democratized entrepreneurship in India, enabling financial inclusion, self-employment, and support for marginalized communities, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

4) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Morgan Stanley has cut India’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 6.2% for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), a reduction of 30 basis points (bps) from the earlier 6.5% estimate, due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Detailed Explanation:

Morgan Stanley has cut India’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 6.2% for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), a reduction of 30 basis points (bps) from the earlier 6.5% estimate, due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

For Q1 FY27 (April–June), GDP growth is projected at 5.9% YoY, reflecting a slowdown in economic activity.

The Q1FY27 projection is based on softening industrial activity, margin compression, and tightening external financing conditions.

The firm expects crude oil prices to average around $95 per barrel (bbl) in FY27, with gas availability constraints adding pressure.

 

5) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Limited (Bajaj Alts) has received regulatory approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch Portfolio Management Services (PMS).

Portfolio Management Services (PMS) is a service where professional experts manage investments (stocks, bonds, etc.) based on investors’ goals and risk appetite.

Detailed Explanation:

Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Limited (Bajaj Alts) has received regulatory approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch Portfolio Management Services (PMS).

Portfolio Management Services (PMS) is a service where professional experts manage investments (stocks, bonds, etc.) based on investors’ goals and risk appetite.

The approval enables the company to expand into listed equities through PMS offerings, in addition to its existing Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) business.

With this move, Bajaj Alts strengthens its position as a diversified investment platform, offering solutions across both AIFs and PMS segments.

The PMS business will primarily target High-Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and Ultra High-Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), focusing on customised and differentiated investment strategies.

 

6) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India’s coffee exports recorded a strong growth of 17% to reach a historic high of $2.136 billion in FY26, up from $1.82 billion in FY25, driven by higher prices and a moderate rise in export volumes.

According to the Coffee Board of India, export volumes increased by 4.65% to 4.07 lakh tonnes in FY26, compared to 3.88 lakh tonnes in FY25.

The average export price increased by 17% to ₹4,64,041 per tonne, compared to ₹3,96,525 per tonne earlier, indicating improved unit value realization for exporters.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s coffee exports recorded a strong growth of 17% to reach a historic high of $2.136 billion in FY26, up from $1.82 billion in FY25, driven by higher prices and a moderate rise in export volumes.

According to the Coffee Board of India, export volumes increased by 4.65% to 4.07 lakh tonnes in FY26, compared to 3.88 lakh tonnes in FY25.

In rupee terms, coffee exports rose by 22.47% to ₹18,887 crore, up from ₹15,421 crore in the previous year, reflecting strong global demand and better price realization.

The average export price increased by 17% to ₹4,64,041 per tonne, compared to ₹3,96,525 per tonne earlier, indicating improved unit value realization for exporters.

 

7) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Razorpay has partnered with OpenAI to enable seamless integration of payment systems into AI-built applications, allowing developers to embed payments directly into apps within minutes and simplify monetisation of AI products.

The collaboration introduces the concept of “agentic payments”, where AI systems can autonomously initiate and complete financial transactions, making commerce more automated and intelligent.

Under this integration, developers using OpenAI’s Codex platform can connect Razorpay’s payment infrastructure via its MCP Server, enabling instant payment activation and faster product monetisation.

Detailed Explanation:

Razorpay has partnered with OpenAI to enable seamless integration of payment systems into AI-built applications, allowing developers to embed payments directly into apps within minutes and simplify monetisation of AI products.

The collaboration introduces the concept of “agentic payments”, where AI systems can autonomously initiate and complete financial transactions, making commerce more automated and intelligent.

Under this integration, developers using OpenAI’s Codex platform can connect Razorpay’s payment infrastructure via its MCP Server, enabling instant payment activation and faster product monetisation.

The system allows developers to move from idea to revenue-generating applications in minutes instead of days, by removing traditional payment setup complexities.

Razorpay is also integrating its services with ChatGPT, enabling businesses to manage payments, settlements, refunds, and reconciliation through conversational prompts instead of dashboards.

This allows users to track transactions, verify bank statements, and check refund status using simple AI commands, improving efficiency and user experience in financial operations.

 

8) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Unique Identification Authority of India signed an agreement with MapmyIndia to enable the display of authorised Aadhaar centres on the Mappls App.

The initiative was announced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the facility is expected to be available in the coming months.

The feature will help users locate the nearest authorised Aadhaar centres using the Mappls App, improving accessibility to Aadhaar-related services.

Detailed Explanation:

The Unique Identification Authority of India signed an agreement with MapmyIndia to enable the display of authorised Aadhaar centres on the Mappls App.

The initiative was announced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the facility is expected to be available in the coming months.

The feature will help users locate the nearest authorised Aadhaar centres using the Mappls App, improving accessibility to Aadhaar-related services.

Users will also be able to identify services available at specific Aadhaar centres, including:

Adult enrolment

Child enrolment

Address update services

Mobile number update services

Once operational, search results on the Mappls App will directly guide users to authorised Aadhaar centres, ensuring accurate navigation and service availability information.

 

9) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that India Post is rapidly transforming into a major logistics powerhouse and aims to become a global player by 2030.

The institute currently trains around 30,000 personnel annually, contributing significantly to capacity building in the postal sector.

During the event, the Government of Goa and the Cochin Port Authority signed an agreement to onboard onto the System for Accounting and Management of Pension (SAMPANN) platform.

Detailed Explanation:

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that India Post is rapidly transforming into a major logistics powerhouse and aims to become a global player by 2030.

The statement was made during the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking 75 years of the Postal Training Centre Saharanpur (PTC) in New Delhi.

The Minister highlighted that PTC Saharanpur has played a crucial role in training nearly 2.5 lakh postal employees over the past 75 years, instilling values such as service, efficiency, accuracy, and “Nation First, Service First”.

The institute currently trains around 30,000 personnel annually, contributing significantly to capacity building in the postal sector.

The Minister described PTC Saharanpur as an institution that transforms employees into dedicated “Karma Yogis” committed to national service.

During the event, the Government of Goa and the Cochin Port Authority signed an agreement to onboard onto the System for Accounting and Management of Pension (SAMPANN) platform.

 

10) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS).

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, IRCCs serve as official proof that Prior Informed Consent (PIC) has been obtained and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) have been established between users and providers of genetic resources, ensuring transparency and fair benefit-sharing.

France ranked second with 964 IRCCs, followed by:

Spain

Argentina

Panama

Kenya

Detailed Explanation:

India emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS).

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, IRCCs serve as official proof that Prior Informed Consent (PIC) has been obtained and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) have been established between users and providers of genetic resources, ensuring transparency and fair benefit-sharing.

As per data available on the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House (ABS Clearing-House) platform:

India issued 3,561 IRCCs out of 6,311 certificates worldwide

This accounts for over 56% of total global IRCCs issued

Out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House platform, only 34 countries have issued IRCCs so far, highlighting India’s leadership in implementation.

France ranked second with 964 IRCCs, followed by:

Spain

Argentina

Panama

Kenya

 

11) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Government of Maharashtra launched the “Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon” (My Village, Healthy Village) campaign on the occasion of World Health Day to improve rural healthcare services, sanitation, and preventive health infrastructure.

The campaign was launched in Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with an outlay of ₹65.25 crore to strengthen healthcare accessibility in villages.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of Maharashtra launched the “Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon” (My Village, Healthy Village) campaign on the occasion of World Health Day to improve rural healthcare services, sanitation, and preventive health infrastructure.

The campaign was launched in Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with an outlay of ₹65.25 crore to strengthen healthcare accessibility in villages.

The launch event was attended by:

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Sunetra Ajit Pawar

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar

Minister Meghna Sakore-Bordikar

A short film and information booklet explaining the objectives and implementation strategy of the campaign were released during the launch event.

The campaign aims to strengthen rural healthcare systems, ensure availability of quality medical services near villages, and promote self-reliance in managing local health challenges.

 

12) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Tejveer Singh (IAS: 1994 batch, Punjab Cadre) has assumed charge as Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

On the occasion, he was welcomed by Nivedita Shukla Verma (outgoing Secretary, DCPC) along with senior officials of the department.

Detailed Explanation:

Tejveer Singh (IAS: 1994 batch, Punjab Cadre) has assumed charge as Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

On the occasion, he was welcomed by Nivedita Shukla Verma (outgoing Secretary, DCPC) along with senior officials of the department.

Prior to this appointment, Tejveer Singh served as Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Government of Punjab, reflecting his extensive administrative experience.

He has also held several key roles in the Government of Punjab, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary to the Chief Minister, and has served as District Magistrate in multiple districts.

 

13) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), a leading stainless steel manufacturing company in India, has appointed Ranveer Singh as its 1st Brand Ambassador.

The collaboration aims to boost brand visibility and expand the consumer base, enhancing the company’s market reach and recognition.

Detailed Explanation:

Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), a leading stainless steel manufacturing company in India, has appointed Ranveer Singh as its 1st Brand Ambassador.

The collaboration aims to boost brand visibility and expand the consumer base, enhancing the company’s market reach and recognition.

The objective of this initiative is to increase awareness, strengthen audience connect, and highlight the importance of stainless steel in everyday life and infrastructure.

Through this campaign, Ranveer Singh will feature across Television (TV), digital, and social media platforms, ensuring multi-channel brand promotion.

14) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Sunil Fernandes has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Coforge, reflecting the company’s focus on strengthening operational capabilities and accelerating AI-driven services.

Detailed Explanation:

Sunil Fernandes has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Coforge, reflecting the company’s focus on strengthening operational capabilities and accelerating AI-driven services.

Fernandes will continue to report to CEO and Executive Director Sudhir Singh while taking on expanded responsibilities.

In his new role, Fernandes will oversee global delivery operations and critical internal functions including administration, facilities, and IT services, ensuring high-quality outcomes for clients.

 

15) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Indian Army (IA) has unveiled the ‘Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions’ to strengthen India’s self-reliant drone ecosystem and enhance modern warfare capabilities.

The 50-page strategic document was released by Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.

Detailed Explanation:

The Indian Army (IA) has unveiled the ‘Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions’ to strengthen India’s self-reliant drone ecosystem and enhance modern warfare capabilities.

The 50-page strategic document was released by Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.

The purpose of the roadmap is to provide long-term clarity on UAS requirements, align operational needs with technological development, and guide industry, academia, and Research and Development (R&D) investments toward priority areas.

The scope of the roadmap covers 30 types of UAS and loitering munitions, translating into nearly 80 variants to meet diverse operational needs.

The roadmap is divided into five key categories: Surveillance, Loitering Munitions, Air Defence UAS, Special Role UAS, and Logistics UAS.

 

16) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a 14.286% equity stake in Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL) by Indriya Limited, paving the way for a ₹2,750 crore capital infusion.

The transaction involves a preferential allotment of equity shares on a private placement basis, resulting in Indriya acquiring 14.286% of the post-issue paid-up equity capital of ABHFL on a fully diluted basis.

Detailed Explanation:

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a 14.286% equity stake in Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL) by Indriya Limited, paving the way for a ₹2,750 crore capital infusion.

The transaction involves a preferential allotment of equity shares on a private placement basis, resulting in Indriya acquiring 14.286% of the post-issue paid-up equity capital of ABHFL on a fully diluted basis.

Indriya Limited, backed by Advent International, is an investment holding company with no operational business in India, focused on strategic investments.

The target company, Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL), is registered with the National Housing Bank (NHB) as a non-deposit-taking housing finance company.

ABHFL is engaged in home loans, loans against property, construction finance, and lease rental discounting, serving the retail and housing finance segments in India.

 

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh University to establish a Microsoft Skill Centre in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at its Mohali campus in April 2026.

The initiative aims to enhance digital skills and employability of students by providing industry-ready training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Cloud Computing.

The Skill Centre is part of the “Skill Centre: AI for Everyone” initiative, designed to make Artificial Intelligence learning accessible to students across multiple academic streams, not limited to computer science disciplines.

Detailed Explanation:

Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh University to establish a Microsoft Skill Centre in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at its Mohali campus in April 2026.

The initiative aims to enhance digital skills and employability of students by providing industry-ready training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Cloud Computing.

The Skill Centre is part of the “Skill Centre: AI for Everyone” initiative, designed to make Artificial Intelligence learning accessible to students across multiple academic streams, not limited to computer science disciplines.

The centre will offer Microsoft certification programmes, including:

AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals

DP-900: Data Fundamentals

AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals

These certifications are intended to align student skills with industry requirements and improve job readiness.

Chandigarh University will also launch a Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science Engineering) with specialisation in Artificial Intelligence, integrating Microsoft’s advanced role-based curriculum.

 

18) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind–Aus ECTA) completed four years since its signing marking a major milestone in strengthening economic relations between India and Australia.

In Financial Year 2025–26, the total trade stood at ₹1,79,818 crore (US$ 19.3 billion) till February 2026, reflecting continued strong trade momentum.

Detailed Explanation:

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind–Aus ECTA) completed four years since its signing marking a major milestone in strengthening economic relations between India and Australia.

India’s exports to Australia increased significantly from ₹37,268 crore (US$ 4 billion) in Financial Year 2020–21 to ₹79,193 crore (US$ 8.5 billion) in Financial Year 2024–25.

The total bilateral trade between India and Australia reached ₹2,24,540 crore (US$ 24.1 billion) in Financial Year 2024–25.

In Financial Year 2025–26, the total trade stood at ₹1,79,818 crore (US$ 19.3 billion) till February 2026, reflecting continued strong trade momentum.

The agreement has played a crucial role in reducing trade barriers, enhancing market access, and creating new opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters.

19) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

According to the report released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Gurgaon recorded the highest pollution level in India in March, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 116 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), significantly above safe limits.

Detailed Explanation:

According to the report released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Gurgaon recorded the highest pollution level in India in March, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 116 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), significantly above safe limits.

Haryana had four cities among the top 10 most polluted cities in India:

Bahadurgarh

Faridabad

Gurgaon

Manesar

Other cities included in the top 10 most polluted cities list were:

Singrauli

Mandideep

Ghaziabad

Bhiwadi

Noida

Nandesari

Ghaziabad was identified as the most polluted city in India for the entire Financial Year 2025–26, indicating persistent long-term air pollution concerns.

Nine cities in Uttar Pradesh achieved more than 40% reduction in PM10 levels, showing notable improvement under pollution control measures.

Odisha recorded the highest number of cities with increased PM10 levels, followed by:

Madhya Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Dehradun recorded the highest improvement, reducing PM10 levels by 75% compared to 2017–18 levels.

Visakhapatnam recorded the highest increase in PM10 levels, with a 73% rise.

Delhi achieved a 17% reduction in PM10 levels, indicating moderate progress in pollution control efforts.

 

20) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Payal Nag from Odisha created history by becoming the first quadruple amputee in the world to win an international gold medal in para-archery.

She won the gold medal at the 2026 World Para Archery Series Final held in Bangkok during her first senior international competition on 4 April 2026.

In the final match, she defeated Sheetal Devi with a score of 139–136 to secure the gold medal.

Detailed Explanation:

Payal Nag from Odisha created history by becoming the first quadruple amputee in the world to win an international gold medal in para-archery.

She won the gold medal at the 2026 World Para Archery Series Final held in Bangkok during her first senior international competition on 4 April 2026.

In the final match, she defeated Sheetal Devi with a score of 139–136 to secure the gold medal.

Payal Nag belongs to a village in Balangir district, where she was born into a financially weak family, with her father working as a daily-wage labourer.

At the age of eight years, she suffered a severe electric shock accident, resulting in the loss of both arms and both legs, after which she stayed in an orphanage and gradually rebuilt her life.