Welcome to the 20 March 2026 Current Affairs Quiz by Cosmo Classes. This daily quiz brings you the top 10 most important current affairs questions in English with the correct answer and a detailed, in-depth explanation for each. Click the SHOW ANSWER button below every question to reveal the answer along with a complete explanation. These questions are highly useful for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, State PCS and all other competitive examinations.
Friday, 20 March 2026 – Current Affairs Quiz (English)
1
Which scheme, approved with an outlay of ₹33,600 crore in March 2026, aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks in India?
(A) PM Mitra Scheme
(B) National Industrial Corridor Programme
(C) Production Linked Incentive Scheme
(D) Bhavya Scheme
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✔ Correct Answer: (D) Bhavya Scheme
Explanation: The Bhavya Scheme, approved with an outlay of ₹33,600 crore in March 2026, aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks in India. Plug-and-play industrial parks provide ready infrastructure to industries, reducing setup time and boosting manufacturing and investment. Such schemes support the government's push for industrial growth and 'Make in India'. Major government schemes, their outlays and objectives are important topics in the economy and current-affairs sections of competitive examinations.
2
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee submitted a report on a Uniform Civil Code framework focused on women's rights. Which state initiated this?
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Gujarat
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Karnataka
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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Gujarat
Explanation: Gujarat initiated the move, with the Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee submitting a report on a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework focused on women's rights. A Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of personal laws applicable to all citizens regardless of religion, as envisaged under Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The UCC is a significant and frequently debated polity topic, making it important for both objective and descriptive questions in competitive exams.
3
Which is the largest producer of coconut in the world, contributing more than 30% to global production?
(A) Indonesia
(B) Philippines
(C) India
(D) Thailand
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) India
Explanation: India is the largest producer of coconut in the world, contributing more than 30% to global production. Coconut cultivation is concentrated in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, supporting millions of livelihoods. Coconut and its products are important for the economy, agriculture and exports. Facts about India's leading position in the production of various crops and commodities are a recurring topic in the geography and economy sections of current affairs.
4
Which state recently passed the 'Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University Bill 2026'?
(A) Haryana
(B) Punjab
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Uttar Pradesh
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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Punjab
Explanation: Punjab recently passed the 'Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University Bill 2026'. The university is named after Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, honouring his legacy. Establishing world-class universities aims to improve the quality of higher education and research. Bills and initiatives related to education and the establishment of institutions, especially those honouring historical figures, are relevant for the current-affairs and polity sections of competitive exams.
5
Researchers of which Indian institute developed a material capable of producing hydrogen fuel and enabling solar-powered desalination?
(A) IIT Bombay
(B) IIT Madras
(C) IIT Bengaluru
(D) IIT Guwahati
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✔ Correct Answer: (D) IIT Guwahati
Explanation: Researchers of IIT Guwahati developed a material capable of producing hydrogen fuel and enabling solar-powered desalination. This dual-function innovation supports clean energy generation and addresses freshwater scarcity by converting seawater into drinking water using solar energy. Green hydrogen and desalination technologies are key areas for sustainable development. Research breakthroughs by Indian institutes are commonly featured in the science and technology section of current affairs and reflect India's growing innovation capacity.
6
On what is the 'Forest-to-Plate' initiative at the India Tribes Fest 2026 primarily focused?
(A) Traditional tribal cuisine
(B) Organic farming techniques
(C) Forest conservation policies
(D) Promotion of eco-tourism
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✔ Correct Answer: (A) Traditional tribal cuisine
Explanation: The 'Forest-to-Plate' initiative at the India Tribes Fest 2026 is primarily focused on traditional tribal cuisine. The initiative promotes indigenous food, forest produce and the culinary heritage of tribal communities, supporting their livelihoods and cultural identity. Such initiatives highlight the link between forests, nutrition and tribal welfare. Programmes related to tribal culture, cuisine and welfare are relevant for the current-affairs and social-development sections of competitive examinations.
7
Under which Indian ministry has the 24 Speed Post service been launched?
(A) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(B) Ministry of Home Affairs
(C) Ministry of Communications
(D) Ministry of Shipping
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) Ministry of Communications
Explanation: The 24 Speed Post service has been launched under the Ministry of Communications. India Post, which operates under this ministry through the Department of Posts, is one of the largest postal networks in the world. The enhanced Speed Post service improves the speed and reliability of mail and parcel delivery. Developments and initiatives related to India Post and the Ministry of Communications are relevant for the current-affairs and governance sections of competitive exams.
8
India recently tested a floating LiDAR buoy system to measure wind conditions over the sea. Which Indian institution developed this technology?
(A) National Institute of Ocean Technology
(B) Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
(C) Indian Space Research Organisation
(D) Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
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✔ Correct Answer: (A) National Institute of Ocean Technology
Explanation: India recently tested a floating LiDAR buoy system to measure wind conditions over the sea, a technology developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology helps assess offshore wind resources, supporting the development of offshore wind energy. NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, focuses on ocean technology and the blue economy. Indigenous technology developments in the ocean and energy sectors are relevant for the science and current-affairs sections of exams.
9
India has partnered with which country to restore the historic Prambanan Temple complex?
(A) Thailand
(B) Indonesia
(C) Cambodia
(D) Malaysia
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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Indonesia
Explanation: India has partnered with Indonesia to restore the historic Prambanan Temple complex. Prambanan, located in Indonesia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia, dedicated to the Trimurti. India's involvement in heritage restoration abroad strengthens cultural diplomacy and historical ties. Cultural cooperation and heritage-restoration partnerships are relevant for the international-relations and culture sections of current affairs.
10
Who became Nepal's first transgender woman Member of Parliament in 2026?
(A) Bhumika Shrestha
(B) Manisha Shishti
(C) Anjali Lama
(D) Sunita Verma
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) Anjali Lama
Explanation: Anjali Lama became Nepal's first transgender woman Member of Parliament in 2026. This historic achievement marks a significant step toward inclusivity and representation of the transgender community in politics. Anjali Lama is also well known as a pioneering transgender model. Milestones related to representation, 'firsts' and social inclusion in neighbouring countries are relevant for the international-affairs and general-awareness sections of competitive examinations.
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