Current affairs curated for UPSC competitive exams.
Answer: Second
The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian honour in India, ranking after the Bharat Ratna (the highest). Padma Bhushan is the third and Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian honour.
Answer: Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, the World Cup-winning captain of the Indian men's cricket team, received the Padma Shri in 2026. He is among the 113 Padma Shri awardees. The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian honour in India.
Answer: Padma Bhushan
Alka Yagnik was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2026 for her distinguished contribution to Indian playback singing. She is among the 13 Padma Bhushan awardees of 2026. The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian honour in India.
Answer: Dharmendra Singh Deol
Late Bollywood legend Dharmendra Singh Deol was conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 2026 for his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema spanning over six decades. He is among the 5 Padma Vibhushan awardees of 2026.
Answer: 131
The Government of India announced 131 Padma Awards for 2026, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. The list includes 16 posthumous and 19 women awardees.
Answer: True
According to recent policy statements, India has moved beyond merely adopting foreign technologies and is now actively participating in developing frontier technologies while helping shape their future direction in multiple sectors globally.
Answer: From a technology follower to a technology leader
India has transitioned from largely adopting technologies developed elsewhere to increasingly participating in and shaping frontier technologies at the global level. This shift represents movement from follower to leader status in the global technological landscape.
Answer: True
The press release confirms that MAHA on Water is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and ANRF launched to promote cutting-edge research in priority areas such as water resources management.
Answer: Dr. Ambedkar International Centre
The press release explicitly states that the Ministry of Jal Shakti will organize the National Workshop on R&D in Water on 1 June 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
Answer: 1.05 crore
The press release explicitly states that PM SVANidhi has facilitated more than 1.05 crore (10.5 million) loan sanctions worth over ₹17,800 crore for street vendors nationwide.
Answer: June 2020
PM SVANidhi was launched in June 2020 as a flagship micro-credit scheme by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs to empower street vendors with collateral-free credit and social security.
Answer: True
The sacred relics belonged to Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Mahamoggallana, who were indeed the chief disciples of Gautama Buddha. This airlift was part of India's cultural diplomacy efforts.
Answer: IL-76 strategic airlift aircraft named Gajraj
The Indian Air Force deployed an IL-76 strategic airlift aircraft named Gajraj for this mission. This aircraft is specifically designed for long-range strategic airlift operations.
Answer: False
The inaugural India-Australia Defence Ministers' Dialogue was held in Australia in October 2025, not in India. The second dialogue was held in New Delhi in June 2026.
Answer: Rajnath Singh and Richard Marles
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles co-chaired the second India-Australia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi on June 1, 2026.
Answer: Western Fleet
Admiral Swaminathan commanded the Western Fleet, which holds the strategic designation as the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy. This was one of his key operational appointments during his career.
Answer: 27th
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan is the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. He succeeded Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi who completed 41 years of service.
Answer: True
The press release explicitly mentions that progress on implementation of GATC Rules and implementation of a registration-based framework from the earlier license-based system was reviewed during the meeting.
Answer: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026
The review meeting was specifically held to facilitate implementation of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 and recommendations of the High-Level Committee on regulatory reforms as part of legal metrology reforms.
Answer: True
The press release clearly mentions that the comprehensive roadmap prepared under 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' includes balanced fertiliser use, natural farming, and action against fake fertilisers and seeds.