Rajasthan and national news for RAS, Patwari, VDO and other exams·41 items·each with its source·published 6 October 2026
Rajasthan
Diya Kumari presents Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 of ₹6,10,956 crore; fiscal deficit 3.7% of GSDP
On 11 February 2026, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari presented the Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 in the State Assembly. The total size of the budget is ₹6,10,956 crore, the fiscal deficit is estimated at 3.7% of GSDP (₹79,493 crore) and the revenue deficit at 1.1% of GSDP. GSDP for 2026-27 is projected at ₹21,52,100 crore, and capital outlay at ₹53,978 crore. The government's '10 resolutions' were presented as pillars of a roadmap for 'Viksit Rajasthan @2047'.
Exam angleBudget size, fiscal deficit % and presenter
Rajasthan Budget: State Testing Agency on NTA lines; ₹1,000 crore for youth self-employment loans
The Rajasthan Budget 2026-27, presented on 11 February 2026, announced a Rajasthan State Testing Agency, modelled on the National Testing Agency, to hold recruitment examinations free of paper leaks. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarojgar scheme, ₹1,000 crore was allocated for 100% interest subsidy on loans of up to ₹10 lakh for eligible youth.
In the Budget 2026-27 (11 February 2026), the loan limit under the Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana was raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh, and ₹100 crore was set aside for district-level women's BPOs. Farmers are to get ₹25,000 crore of interest-free short-term loans, and the Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund was doubled from ₹1,000 crore to ₹2,000 crore. A 100% interest waiver was announced for colonisation-area farmers with overdue loans.
Rajasthan Budget: luxury tourism zone at Khuri, Thar culture circuit, ₹200 crore for Shekhawati havelis
The Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 (11 February 2026) proposed an ultra-luxury Special Tourism Zone at Khuri near Jaisalmer and a tourist facilitation centre at Kuldhara. A Thar Desert Culture Circuit will link five districts: Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer and Jalore. ₹200 crore will be spent over the next two years to conserve more than 660 historic havelis in Jhunjhunu, Churu and Sikar, and a war museum will be built in Jhunjhunu.
Rajasthan Budget: ₹6,800 crore for Har Ghar Nal, ₹3,000 crore for solar parks in Bikaner and Jaisalmer
The Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 (11 February 2026) provided ₹6,800 crore for drinking water under the Har Ghar Nal Yojana, with 3 lakh new tap connections. It set aside ₹3,000 crore for solar parks in Bikaner and Jaisalmer and announced 50,000 new solar pumps for farmers. Under the Chief Minister Jal Jeevan Mission, works worth ₹530 crore will be taken up in 83 cities.
Exam angleSolar park districts; Har Ghar Nal outlay
Rajasthan bans felling of Khejri statewide after 11-day agitation in Bikaner; tree protection law promised
On the night of 12 February 2026, a government delegation handed protesters in Bikaner a Revenue Department letter directing all district collectors to stop the cutting of Khejri trees across the state until a tree protection law is enacted. The mass sit-in, led by saints and the Bishnoi community since 2 February, opposed the felling of Khejri trees for solar power plants in western Rajasthan; it was called off after the government's written assurance of a law. Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is Rajasthan's state tree.
Exam angleKhejri ban until a law; state tree; solar-plant felling
Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches AI-based farmer platform 'Bharat-VISTAAR' from Jaipur
On 17 February 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the farmers' digital companion 'Bharat-VISTAAR' at the State Institute of Agricultural Management, Durgapura, Jaipur. Through a single phone call, farmers can get crop advisories, mandi prices and weather information. Bharat-VISTAAR, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, links AgriStack portals and ICAR farm practices with AI systems.
Exam angleBharat-VISTAAR launched from Jaipur (Durgapura)
Army's Southern Command holds Exercise 'Agni Varsha' at Pokhran; journalists from 25 countries watch
In late February 2026, the Indian Army's Southern Command conducted the Integrated Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise 'Agni Varsha' at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer. T-90 tanks, K-9 Vajra guns, Apache helicopters, ALH weapon system helicopters and drones took part. Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries watched the exercise.
Rajasthan Cabinet removes two-child bar for local body polls; creates Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
On 25 February 2026, the Rajasthan Cabinet chaired by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma approved amendments to the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 and the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009, so that people with more than two children can contest panchayat and municipal elections. The government said the provision had become less relevant as the fertility rate has fallen. The Cabinet also approved a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Economic Offences to act against real-estate fraud, banking and insurance scams, tax evasion and illegal land deals.
Exam angleTwo-child norm removed; Acts of 1994 and 2009
Cabinet clears Rajasthan Industrial Park Incentive Policy, 2026 with up to 20% capital subsidy
On 25 February 2026, the Rajasthan Cabinet cleared the Rajasthan Industrial Park Incentive Policy, 2026, offering capital subsidies of up to 20% for private industrial parks. The same meeting approved land in Neem Ka Thana for a beneficiation and pellet plant with an investment of about ₹500 crore and over 500 direct jobs.
Exam angleIndustrial Park policy subsidy %; pellet plant at Neem Ka Thana
President Murmu flies in LCH Prachand at Jaisalmer and watches IAF's 'Vayu Shakti' at Pokhran
On 27 February 2026, President Droupadi Murmu flew a 25-minute sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, passing over Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort. In the evening she watched the IAF's day-and-night Exercise 'Vayu Shakti' at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, which recreated missions of Operation Sindoor with Su-30, Jaguar and Mirage jets, Apache helicopters and the Akash missile system.
Exam angleVayu Shakti (IAF) at Pokhran; President in LCH Prachand
CM announces in Assembly: Mount Abu to be Abu Raj, Jahazpur Yagyapur and Kaman Kamvan
On 27 February 2026, replying to the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Rajasthan Assembly, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma announced that three places would be renamed: Mount Abu (Sirohi) as Abu Raj, Jahazpur (Bhilwara) as Yagyapur and Kaman (Deeg) as Kamvan. He said the change respects public sentiment and the places' cultural heritage. Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station.
PM launches nationwide HPV vaccination for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer; projects worth over ₹16,000 crore
On 28 February 2026, PM Narendra Modi launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years at Ajmer by vaccinating five girls. The HPV vaccine protects against cervical cancer. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over ₹16,000 crore and gave appointment letters to more than 21,000 youths selected for Rajasthan government jobs.
Exam angleHPV campaign: Ajmer, girls aged 14, cervical cancer
Sitharaman presents 9th straight Budget: fiscal deficit 4.3% of GDP, public capex ₹12.2 lakh crore
On 1 February 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha, her 9th in a row. It was called a 'Yuva Shakti-driven' Budget built on three 'Kartavya': accelerate and sustain economic growth, fulfil people's aspirations, and Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. The fiscal deficit is estimated at 4.3% of GDP (4.4% in RE 2025-26), public capex at ₹12.2 lakh crore, and debt at 55.6% of GDP, with a target of 50±1% by 2030.
Budget 2026-27: seven high-speed rail corridors, Dankuni–Surat freight corridor and 20 new waterways
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed seven high-speed rail 'growth connectors': Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri. It also announced a new Dedicated Freight Corridor from Dankuni in the east to Surat in the west, 20 new National Waterways, and a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping from 6% to 12% by 2047.
Defence gets ₹7.85 lakh crore in Budget 2026-27, up 15.19% over 2025-26
In the Union Budget 2026-27, the Ministry of Defence received ₹7.85 lakh crore, the highest among ministries. This is about 2% of estimated GDP, 15.19% more than the 2025-26 Budget Estimate, and 14.67% of total Central Government expenditure. Capital expenditure makes up 27.95% of the defence allocation and defence pensions 21.84%.
Centre accepts 16th Finance Commission advice to keep states' share of central taxes at 41%
With the Union Budget 2026-27, the government accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to keep the vertical share of devolution (states' share in the divisible pool of central taxes) at 41%. It provided ₹1.4 lakh crore to states for 2026-27 as Finance Commission grants, including rural and urban local body and disaster management grants.
Exam angleVertical devolution 41%; FC grants ₹1.4 lakh crore
President's Rule revoked in Manipur; Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister
On 4 February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked President's Rule in Manipur, imposed on 13 February 2025 after N. Biren Singh resigned. BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh (Singjamei constituency) was sworn in as Chief Minister by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan, Imphal. Nemcha Kipgen (BJP) and Losii Dikho (NPF) became Deputy Chief Ministers.
PM opens Seva Teerth; first decisions: PM RAHAT cashless care and 6 crore Lakhpati Didi target
On 13 February 2026, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Seva Teerth, which houses the PMO, the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat, along with Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2. His first decisions there were the PM RAHAT scheme (cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims), a new target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029, expanding the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund to ₹2 lakh crore, and a ₹10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0.
India AI Impact Summit ends with New Delhi Declaration, endorsed by 88 countries and organisations
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi concluded on 21 February 2026 with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, endorsed by 88 countries and international organisations. Guided by 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya', it is built on three Sutras (People, Planet, Progress) and seven Chakras (pillars).
Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala as 'Keralam'; Bill to go to the State Assembly for views
On 24 February 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to change the name of the State of Kerala to 'Keralam'. The President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views before it is introduced in Parliament. The Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution for the change on 24 June 2024. Under Article 3, Parliament can change a state's name by law.
BNP's Tarique Rahman sworn in as Bangladesh PM after the 12 February election
On 17 February 2026, Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, after the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election held on 12 February. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka. The new government replaced the interim administration of Muhammad Yunus, in office since August 2024. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India.
Japan's Parliament re-elects Sanae Takaichi as PM after LDP wins two-thirds majority
On 18 February 2026, Japan's Parliament reappointed Sanae Takaichi as Prime Minister to form her second Cabinet, after a landslide general election win the previous week. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) now has a two-thirds majority in the 465-member lower house. Takaichi became Japan's first woman Prime Minister in October 2025.
Exam angleLDP; 465-seat lower house; second Takaichi Cabinet
US Supreme Court strikes down Trump's emergency global tariffs; Neal Katyal argued the winning side
On 20 February 2026, the US Supreme Court struck down much of President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs as an illegal use of emergency powers. Indian-origin lawyer Neal Katyal, a former Acting Solicitor General, argued the case for small businesses. Trump then announced a new temporary 10% global tariff under another law that limits such tariffs to 150 days.
Exam angleNeal Katyal; replacement 10% tariff for 150 days
Rob Jetten of D66 sworn in as the Netherlands' youngest-ever Prime Minister
On 23 February 2026, King Willem-Alexander swore in a new Dutch government led by Rob Jetten, the youngest Prime Minister in the Netherlands' history. Jetten's centrist Democrats '66 (D66) leads a three-party coalition with the Christian Democratic Appeal and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, holding 66 of 150 lower-house seats. The swearing-in came 117 days after the election.
Exam angleRob Jetten; party D66; youngest Dutch PM
Budget: ₹10,000 crore Biopharma SHAKTI, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, ECMS outlay raised to ₹40,000 crore
The Union Budget 2026-27 announced Biopharma SHAKTI with ₹10,000 crore over 5 years to build domestic production of biologics and biosimilars, including 3 new NIPERs and upgrading 7 existing ones. It also launched India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, raised the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay to ₹40,000 crore, and announced a scheme for rare earth permanent magnets, 3 chemical parks and a ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme.
Budget: ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund; STT on futures raised from 0.02% to 0.05%
The Union Budget 2026-27 set up a dedicated ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to create 'Champion' SMEs and topped up the Self-Reliant India Fund with ₹2,000 crore. TReDS is to become the settlement platform for all CPSE purchases from MSMEs. Securities Transaction Tax on futures was raised from 0.02% to 0.05%, and on options premium and exercise to 0.15%.
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in last policy of 2025-26
On 6 February 2026, in the sixth and final bi-monthly policy of 2025-26, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that the Monetary Policy Committee had unanimously kept the repo rate at 5.25%. The RBI had cut the rate by 25 basis points in December 2025. It also proposed a framework to compensate customers up to ₹25,000 for losses in small-value fraudulent electronic transactions.
India–US interim trade agreement framework: US tariff on Indian goods cut from 50% to 18%
Following the India–US joint statement on the framework for an Interim Trade Agreement, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on 7 February 2026 that the US reciprocal tariff on Indian exports falls from 50% to 18%, and items such as spices, tea, coffee, cashew and mango will face zero US duty. Maize, wheat, rice, sugar, soybean, poultry and dairy were kept out of India's concessions to protect farmers.
PM inaugurates Micron's semiconductor ATMP plant at Sanand; first made-in-India memory modules shipped
On 28 February 2026, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility of Micron Semiconductor Technology India at Sanand, Gujarat. Commercial production and shipment of the first made-in-India semiconductor memory modules began from the plant. The PM said that while oil shaped the last century, microchips will shape this one.
President reviews International Fleet Review 2026 off Visakhapatnam: 71 vessels, theme 'United through Oceans'
On 18 February 2026, President Droupadi Murmu, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off Visakhapatnam from the Presidential Yacht INS Sumedha. She inspected 71 vessels, including 45 Indian Navy ships and 19 visiting foreign warships. The IFR theme was 'United through Oceans'; it was held alongside the multilateral exercise MILAN 2026.
Exam angleIFR 2026 theme; Presidential Yacht INS Sumedha
DRDO completes qualification load test of Gaganyaan drogue parachute in Chandigarh
On 18 February 2026, DRDO, with ISRO and the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, carried out a successful qualification-level load test of the drogue parachute for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme in Chandigarh. The test used loads higher than the maximum flight loads, showing an extra safety margin. Drogue parachutes slow and steady the crew module before the main parachutes open.
Nine cheetahs from Botswana reach Kuno; India's cheetah count rises to 48
On 28 February 2026, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the arrival of nine cheetahs (six females and three males) from Botswana at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, under Project Cheetah. India now has 48 cheetahs, including 28 India-born cubs.
RCB win second Women's Premier League title, beating Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets in Vadodara
On 5 February 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title, beating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final at Vadodara. Chasing 204, RCB won in 19.4 overs, led by captain Smriti Mandhana's 87 off 41 balls and Georgia Voll's 79. Delhi Capitals, captained by Jemimah Rodrigues, had made 203/4.
Exam angleWPL 2026 winner, final venue and captain
India win record 6th U-19 World Cup, beating England by 100 runs; Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits 175
On 6 February 2026, India won the ICC U-19 Men's World Cup for a record sixth time, beating England by 100 runs in the final at Harare, Zimbabwe. Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 175 off 80 balls and was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Captained by Ayush Mhatre, India stayed unbeaten, and the 100-run margin is the largest by runs in a U-19 World Cup final.
Exam angle6th title; final at Harare; Vaibhav Suryavanshi 175
Milano Cortina Winter Olympics end; Norway top medal table with 18 gold and 41 medals
The 2026 Winter Olympics at Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, closed on 22 February 2026 with a ceremony at the Verona Arena. Norway topped the medal table with 18 gold and 41 medals, ahead of the USA (12 gold, 33 medals). Host Italy had its best Winter Games with 30 medals. France will host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the Alps and Nice.
Dalai Lama, 90, wins his first Grammy for the audiobook 'Meditations'
At the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on 1 February 2026, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy, for Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording. The album 'Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama' set his teachings to music, with sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash among the collaborators.
Exam angleDalai Lama Grammy category; Amjad Ali Khan collaboration
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi wins the US$1 million Global Teacher Prize 2026 in Dubai
Indian teacher Rouble Nagi won the Global Teacher Prize 2026, worth US$1 million, announced at the World Government Summit in Dubai in February 2026. Given by GEMS Education in its tenth edition, it was presented by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan. Nagi turns neglected walls into learning murals, and her foundation runs more than 800 education centres; she was chosen from over 5,000 nominations from 139 countries.
Exam angleGlobal Teacher Prize 2026: Rouble Nagi; US$1 million
Manipuri film 'Boong' wins BAFTA for Children's and Family Film, a first for an Indian film
At the 2026 BAFTA Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on 22 February 2026, the Manipuri-language film 'Boong' won in the Children's and Family Film category. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it is the first Indian film to win this award.
Exam angleBoong: Manipuri; BAFTA Children's and Family Film
World Wetlands Day (2 Feb) 2026 theme: 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge'; India has 98 Ramsar sites
World Wetlands Day was observed on 2 February 2026 with the theme 'Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage'. At the national event in New Delhi, MoS Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said India's Ramsar sites have grown from 26 in 2014 to 98, and he felicitated six states, including Rajasthan, for new Ramsar sites. The day marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention on 2 February 1971.
Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: India 91st of 182 with score 39; Denmark tops
In Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2025, released on 10 February 2026, India ranked 91st of 182 countries and territories with a score of 39, up from 96th in 2024. Denmark ranked first with a score of 89. The global average fell to a new low of 42 out of 100, and more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50.
Exam angleIndia's CPI rank and score; Denmark first
15 questions on this news. Think of your answer, then press “Show answer”.
Q1
In the Rajasthan Budget 2026-27, presented on 11 February 2026, the fiscal deficit was estimated at what share of GSDP?
(1)3.7%✓ Correct answer
(2)3.0%
(3)4.3%
(4)4.9%
Answer: (1) 3.7%
Explanation
The budget of ₹6,10,956 crore, presented by Diya Kumari, put the fiscal deficit at 3.7% of GSDP (₹79,493 crore) and the revenue deficit at 1.1%.
Q2
The Rajasthan State Testing Agency, announced in the State Budget in February 2026 for recruitment examinations, is to be modelled on:
(1)Union Public Service Commission
(2)National Testing Agency✓ Correct answer
(3)Staff Selection Commission
(4)National Recruitment Agency
Answer: (2) National Testing Agency
Explanation
The Budget 2026-27 announced a Rajasthan State Testing Agency on the lines of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to make recruitment examinations transparent.
Q3
Under the Rajasthan Budget 2026-27 (February 2026), the loan limit under the Mukhyamantri Lakhpati Didi Yojana was raised to:
(1)₹1 lakh
(2)₹2 lakh
(3)₹1.5 lakh✓ Correct answer
(4)₹2.5 lakh
Answer: (3) ₹1.5 lakh
Explanation
The limit was raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh; ₹100 crore was also set aside for rural women's BPOs.
Q4
Which of the following districts is NOT among the five districts to be linked by the Thar Cultural Circuit announced in the Rajasthan Budget in February 2026?
(1)Barmer
(2)Jalore
(3)Bikaner
(4)Nagaur✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Nagaur
Explanation
The circuit links Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer and Jalore. The same budget proposed an ultra-luxury tourism zone at Khuri near Jaisalmer.
Q5
The AI-based farmers' digital platform 'Bharat-VISTAAR' was launched on 17 February 2026 by the Union Agriculture Minister from which city?
(1)Jodhpur
(2)Jaipur✓ Correct answer
(3)Bhopal
(4)Kota
Answer: (2) Jaipur
Explanation
Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched it at the State Institute of Agricultural Management, Durgapura, Jaipur. It gives crop advisories, mandi prices and weather information by phone.
Q6
Consider the following statements about events in Rajasthan on 27 February 2026:
1. President Droupadi Murmu flew a sortie in the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer.
2. The Indian Army's Exercise 'Vayu Shakti' was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Range.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(1)1 only✓ Correct answer
(2)2 only
(3)Both 1 and 2
(4)Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (1) 1 only
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: 'Vayu Shakti' is an Indian Air Force exercise and was held at the Pokhran Field Firing Range.
Q7
According to the Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, the Central Government aims to bring its debt-to-GDP ratio to what level by 2030?
(1)40±1 percent
(2)45±1 percent
(3)55±1 percent
(4)50±1 percent✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 50±1 percent
Explanation
The target is 50±1% by 2030. Debt is estimated at 55.6% of GDP in BE 2026-27, and the fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP.
Q8
Which of the following is NOT one of the seven high-speed rail corridors ('growth connectors') proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27 in February 2026?
(1)Delhi–Varanasi
(2)Delhi–Jaipur✓ Correct answer
(3)Varanasi–Siliguri
(4)Hyderabad–Chennai
Answer: (2) Delhi–Jaipur
Explanation
The seven corridors are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
Q9
Under the PM RAHAT scheme, approved by the Prime Minister in February 2026 among his first decisions at Seva Teerth, accident victims get cashless treatment of up to:
(1)₹1 lakh
(2)₹5 lakh
(3)₹1.5 lakh✓ Correct answer
(4)₹2 lakh
Answer: (3) ₹1.5 lakh
Explanation
PM RAHAT gives cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh. The other first decisions included a target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by March 2029.
Q10
In February 2026, the US Supreme Court struck down President Trump's global emergency tariffs. Which Indian-origin lawyer argued the case for the challengers?
(1)Neal Katyal✓ Correct answer
(2)Preet Bharara
(3)Vivek Murthy
(4)Kash Patel
Answer: (1) Neal Katyal
Explanation
Neal Katyal, a former Acting Solicitor General, represented small businesses. Trump then announced a temporary 10% global tariff, limited to 150 days.
Q11
Rob Jetten, sworn in as the youngest-ever Prime Minister of the Netherlands on 23 February 2026, belongs to which party?
(1)People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
(2)Christian Democratic Appeal
(3)Party for Freedom
(4)Democrats '66 (D66)✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Democrats '66 (D66)
Explanation
Jetten's centrist D66 leads a three-party coalition with the CDA and VVD, holding 66 of 150 lower-house seats.
Q12
'Biopharma SHAKTI', announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 in February 2026, has what outlay?
(1)₹5,000 crore over 3 years
(2)₹10,000 crore over 5 years✓ Correct answer
(3)₹20,000 crore over 5 years
(4)₹40,000 crore over 6 years
Answer: (2) ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Explanation
Biopharma SHAKTI has ₹10,000 crore over 5 years for biologics and biosimilars, with 3 new NIPERs and 7 upgraded ones.
Q13
What was the theme of the International Fleet Review 2026, reviewed by President Droupadi Murmu off Visakhapatnam on 18 February 2026?
(1)United through Oceans✓ Correct answer
(2)Bridges of Friendship
(3)Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration
(4)Sagar for All
Answer: (1) United through Oceans
Explanation
The theme was 'United through Oceans'. The President reviewed 71 vessels, including 45 Indian Navy ships and 19 foreign warships, from INS Sumedha.
Q14
In the final of the ICC U-19 Men's World Cup on 6 February 2026, in which India beat England by 100 runs, who scored 175 runs off 80 balls?
(1)Ayush Mhatre
(2)Abhigyan Kundu
(3)Vaibhav Suryavanshi✓ Correct answer
(4)Kanishk Chouhan
Answer: (3) Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Explanation
Vaibhav Suryavanshi was Player of the Match and Player of the Series. The final was in Harare, and it was India's record sixth U-19 title.
Q15
'Boong', which in February 2026 became the first Indian film to win the BAFTA for Children's and Family Film, is in which language?
(1)Assamese
(2)Khasi
(3)Mizo
(4)Manipuri✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Manipuri
Explanation
'Boong' is a Manipuri-language film. The award was given at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on 22 February 2026.