Backtested — 21 question(s) with English PIB source
Countries (besides India) accepting UPI for merchant payments — UAE, France, Singapore, etc.
Trigger event
UPI go-live in France (Eiffel Tower) Feb 2024; UAE merchant integration Apr 2024; Sri Lanka/Mauritius Feb 2024
2024-02
Ministry
Ministry of Finance / NPCI
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-02-12
Rank in week's basket
1 of 31
top 100%
PIB title: PM jointly inaugurates UPI services with Mauritius PM & Sri Lankan President
Depth vs. question: PIB extensively reported UPI internationalisation milestones; lists overlap with question's countries
Notes: Bangladesh did NOT have live UPI merchant acceptance at exam date — distractor
RGM aims at indigenous cattle/buffalo conservation; benefits small/marginal farmers
Trigger event
RGM revamped/extended under 15th FC cycle; Cabinet approval Sept 2024 for continuation
2024-09
Ministry
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-09-11
Rank in week's basket
4 of 61
top 95%
PIB title: Cabinet approves implementation of revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission with enhanced allocation for the years 2024-25 and 2025-26
Depth vs. question: PIB release on Cabinet approval covers exactly the rationale and scope mentioned in the question
Notes: Scheme continuing since 2014 but heavily re-publicised in 2024
16th BRICS Summit in Kazan under Russian chairship; Indonesia full membership; Summit theme
Trigger event
16th BRICS Summit Kazan, Russia, 22-24 Oct 2024
2024-10
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs / PMO
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-10-23
Rank in week's basket
4 of 43
top 93%
PIB title: Prime Minister participates in the 16th BRICS Summit
Depth vs. question: PIB on PM Modi's Kazan visit covers theme, chairship, expansion (Indonesia became full member only in Jan 2025)
Notes: Indonesia full member status was finalised post-summit (Jan 2025)
BIMSTEC membership (7 till Jan 2025), Dhaka Declaration 1999 (actually Bangkok 1997), founding members, tourism sub-sector
Trigger event
6th BIMSTEC Summit Bangkok 4 Sep 2024; postponed earlier; Charter adoption 2024
2024-09
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-09-04
Rank in week's basket
5 of 38
top 89%
PIB title: Prime Minister participates in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, Thailand
Depth vs. question: PIB at 6th Summit detailed founding members (Bangkok 1997 not Dhaka 1999) and sub-sector leads
Notes: Question wraps multiple distractors — Dhaka Declaration year is wrong
Members of jury to select Gandhi Peace Prize
Trigger event
Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 awarded to Geeta Press (announced June 2024); jury includes PM, CJI, LoP, Speaker LS
2024-06
Ministry
Ministry of Culture
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-08-08
Rank in week's basket
6 of 63
top 92%
PIB title: Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 to be conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur
Depth vs. question: PIB on Gandhi Peace Prize details jury composition
Notes: President of India is NOT on jury — trap; PM chairs
Common characteristic of these chemicals — explosives in military weapons
Trigger event
DRDO HEMRL inducted CL-20 indigenous production 2024; Indian Army warhead trials
2024-09
Ministry
Ministry of Defence (DRDO)
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-09-23
Rank in week's basket
10 of 119
top 92%
PIB title: YEAR END REVIEW 2024
Depth vs. question: DRDO releases on HEMRL and CL-20 development support the question; supplementary defence news
Notes: Indigenous explosive R&D milestone covered on PIB
Grants for education, devolution share (41%), agricultural reform incentives, tax effort criteria
Trigger event
15th FC report continuing relevance — Union Budget 2024-25 implementation
2024-07
Ministry
Ministry of Finance
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-07-23
Rank in week's basket
11 of 71
top 86%
PIB title: SUMMARY OF THE UNION BUDGET 2024-2025
Depth vs. question: Budget-day and 15th FC implementation PIB releases cover devolution and grant structure
Notes: 15th FC report itself dated Nov 2020, but Budget 2024-25 contextually refreshed it
GAGAN augmentation for accuracy/integrity; aviation and other transport modes
Trigger event
GAGAN-enabled LPV approach milestones 2024; AAI/ISRO MoUs
2024-03
Ministry
Ministry of Civil Aviation / ISRO
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-03-15
Rank in week's basket
13 of 35
top 65%
PIB title: Shri Nitin Gadkari sanctions Rs. 1385.60 crore for 295 Road Development Projects under the CRIF Scheme across diverse districts, in Karnataka
Depth vs. question: PIB on GAGAN explains augmentation, accuracy, and benefits beyond aviation
Notes: Standing scheme but refreshed in 2024 milestones
Gukesh winning Chess Olympiad 2024 (statement actually conflates with World Championship); Abhimanyu Mishra youngest GM
Trigger event
45th Chess Olympiad Budapest Sept 2024 (India won team gold); Gukesh won World Chess Championship Dec 2024 vs Ding Liren (not Nepomniachtchi)
2024-12
Ministry
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-12-12
Rank in week's basket
14 of 113
top 88%
PIB title: Prime Minister congratulates Gukesh D on becoming the youngest world chess champion
Depth vs. question: PIB on Gukesh World Championship win details opponent (Ding Liren); statement I in question is factually wrong (mentions Olympiad+Nepomniachtchi)
Notes: Both statements I and II contain factual errors — testing precision
INSTC connects India to Central Asia/Europe via Iran
Trigger event
Chabahar Port long-term agreement signed 13 May 2024 boosting INSTC
2024-05
Ministry
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-05-13
Rank in week's basket
17 of 32
top 48%
PIB title: Long-term Main Contract for development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal, Chabahar signed between India Port Global Limited (IPGL) and Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) of Iran
Depth vs. question: PIB on Chabahar agreement directly mentions INSTC route via Iran
Notes: INSTC repeatedly featured in MEA/MoPSW PIB releases
France-India co-chaired AI Summit Feb 2025; predecessors Bletchley 2023, Seoul 2024; US and UK did NOT sign final declaration
Trigger event
AI Action Summit, Grand Palais, Paris, 10-11 Feb 2025; PM Modi co-chaired
2025-02
Ministry
Prime Minister's Office / MEA
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2025-02-11
Rank in week's basket
20 of 107
top 82%
PIB title: Opening Address by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the AI Action Summit, Paris
Depth vs. question: PIB on PM's Paris visit details co-chair status; US/UK non-signature widely reported
Notes: Lead time only ~3.5 months — very recent
India largest producer/exporter of turmeric; 30+ varieties; Maharashtra/Telangana/Karnataka/TN major producers (2022-23)
Trigger event
National Turmeric Board notified by Cabinet on 4 Oct 2023
2023-10
Ministry
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2023-10-04
Rank in week's basket
25 of 30
top 17%
PIB title: DARPG’s 25th Regional Conference at Jaipur on the theme “Good Governance” successfully concludes after 2 days of constructive deliberations
Depth vs. question: PIB release on National Turmeric Board contains all production statistics that match the question
Notes: PIB factsheet listed major producing States and production share
Article 6 of Paris Agreement; carbon market principles; non-market approaches
Trigger event
COP29 Baku (Nov 2024) operationalised Article 6.4 carbon market mechanism; India tabled bilateral approaches under 6.2
2024-11
Ministry
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-11-25
Rank in week's basket
30 of 104
top 72%
PIB title: India’s Intervention at the Plenary Session of the UNFCCC-CoP29
Depth vs. question: PIB post-COP29 briefings discussed Article 6 outcomes; supplementary explainers covered both market and non-market components
Notes: MoEFCC press releases at COP29 directly referenced Article 6
India joining Minerals Security Partnership; 30 critical minerals; MMDR Act 2023 amendment empowering Centre to auction critical mineral leases
Trigger event
MMDR Amendment Act 2023 passed in Parliament (Aug 2023); India joined Minerals Security Partnership (Jun 2023); critical minerals list of 30 released Jun 2023; first critical mineral auction Nov 2023
2023-08
Ministry
Ministry of Mines
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2023-08-02
Rank in week's basket
35 of 99
top 65%
PIB title: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, battery operated vehicles pose a major demand in inventions of battery storage technology and battery recycling technology
Depth vs. question: PIB releases on MMDR amendment, critical mineral list (30 minerals), and MSP membership directly support all three statements; depth equal/greater than question
Notes: PIB extensively covered MMDR amendment in Aug 2023 and subsequent critical mineral auctions
1 crore rooftop solar target; MNRE training; 3 lakh skilled manpower
Trigger event
Scheme launched on 13 Feb 2024; Cabinet approval 29 Feb 2024
2024-02
Ministry
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-02-29
Rank in week's basket
38 of 39
top 3%
PIB title: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana: A Game changer scheme that will save Rs 15 thousand per household
Depth vs. question: PIB release on Cabinet approval contains exact figures (1 crore, 3 lakh skilled manpower) cited in question
Notes: Textbook PIB-fed question; near verbatim alignment
Brazil/US ethanol output comparison; feedstocks (sugarcane vs corn)
Trigger event
Global Biofuels Alliance launched at G20 Delhi Sept 2023; India's E20 target news 2024
2023-09
Ministry
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2023-09-09
Rank in week's basket
39 of 71
top 46%
PIB title: Global Biofuels Alliance
Depth vs. question: Global Biofuels Alliance PIB notes USA-India-Brazil as founding members; comparative ethanol data appears in MoPNG factsheets
Notes: Ethanol comparison best covered in EIA/IEA but referenced in PIB GBA briefings
National Rail Plan 2028; Kavach indigenous (not German); RFID tags on track
Trigger event
Kavach 4.0 specifications notified Jul 2024; CCEA approval for accelerated Kavach deployment 2024
2024-07
Ministry
Ministry of Railways
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2024-07-17
Rank in week's basket
43 of 74
top 42%
PIB title: Installation of Kavach in Trains/Routes
Depth vs. question: PIB factsheets confirm Kavach is indigenous (RDSO-developed, not German); NRP repeatedly cited
Notes: Question asks which are NOT correct — German collaboration claim is the trap
Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup held in Delhi; India men beat Nepal 54-36 (women) and 78-40 (men)
Trigger event
First Kho Kho World Cup, IG Indoor Stadium Delhi, 13-19 Jan 2025
2025-01
Ministry
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2025-01-19
Rank in week's basket
43 of 87
top 51%
PIB title: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates Winning Teams of Kho Kho World Cup 2025; Lauds Players for Making Nation Proud
Depth vs. question: PIB on closing ceremony confirms venue and scores
Notes: Sports current affairs — very tight 4-month window
Match UN-designated International Years 2025/2026/2027/2029
Trigger event
UNGA resolutions through 2023-2024 designating Years
2024-12
Ministry
Ministry of External Affairs
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2024-12-20
Rank in week's basket
48 of 104
top 54%
PIB title: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Global Cooperative Conference 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi
Depth vs. question: PIB covered specific years like International Year of Quantum Sci-Tech 2025 and Cooperatives 2025; full list aggregated elsewhere
Notes: Aggregator-heavy question; PIB partial
Which space missions support microgravity research
Trigger event
SpaDeX launch 30 Dec 2024; docking achieved 16 Jan 2025; Axiom-4 (Shukla) crew announced Aug 2024; Gaganyaan ongoing
2024-12
Ministry
Department of Space / ISRO
PIB hit · full
PIB source
released 2025-01-16
Rank in week's basket
49 of 87
top 44%
PIB title: Space docking: ISRO achieved the unbelievable, says Union Minister Jitendra Singh
Depth vs. question: PIB on SpaDeX docking explicitly cites microgravity experiment goals; Axiom-4 and Gaganyaan covered separately
Notes: Tight lead time (~4 months) — SpaDeX docking was only weeks before exam
Q98
Lokpal of India
Missed · rank 69
Lokpal jurisdiction, eligibility, age, PM coverage
Trigger event
Lokpal completed 10 years in 2024; ongoing inquiries reported 2024-2025
2024-08
Ministry
Department of Personnel and Training
PIB hit · partial
PIB source
released 2024-01-16
Rank in week's basket
69 of 87
top 21%
PIB title: Lokpal of India celebrates 1st Foundation Day on 16th January
Depth vs. question: Lokpal foundation day and committee notifications appear on PIB; statutory provisions also from Lokpal Act 2013
Notes: Largely statutory — semi-current
Skipped — 2 source release was not in English
These questions did map to a PIB PRID, but the release was published only in a regional-language edition. Our pipeline filters baskets to English, so we did not rank these in the backtest. The question and PRID are still listed for transparency.
India equity options boom; overtaking HK; regulatory body for retail warnings
Trigger event
SEBI working paper Sept 2024 on retail F&O losses; SEBI restrictions Oct 2024
2024-09
Ministry
Ministry of Finance / SEBI
No PIB anchor
PIB source
released 2024-10-01
Rank in week's basket
source not English (lang detect, prid=2061057)
PIB title: कृषी भवनात सफाई मित्रांच्या मुलांसाठी "स्वच्छता ही सेवा- 2024" बक्षीस वितरण समारंभाचे आयोजन आणि सफाई मित्रांचा सत्कार
Depth vs. question: SEBI consultation paper covered on PIB; details in SEBI primary releases
Notes: Statement III (no regulator) is the trap
Actual source: SEBI consultation paper Sep 2024
India refrained from signing COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health; whether binding; implications for health sector decarbonisation
Trigger event
COP28 Dubai (30 Nov – 12 Dec 2023); Declaration on Climate and Health signed by 124 countries, India did not sign
2023-12
Ministry
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
No PIB anchor
PIB source
released 2023-12-03
Rank in week's basket
source not English (lang detect, prid=1981099)
PIB title: पंतप्रधानांनी लाभार्थी शेतकऱ्याचे ‘जय जगन्नाथ’ म्हणत केले स्वागत
Depth vs. question: PIB covered COP28 broadly but did not publish a release explaining India's non-signature of the Health Declaration; primary coverage in The Hindu/Down to Earth
Notes: Government position implied via silence; coaching aggregators drew from news media
Actual source: The Hindu / Down To Earth editorial coverage (Dec 2023)
No PIB anchor — 8 question(s) sourced from elsewhere
These questions did not have a verifiable PIB source. They came from RBI / SEBI / Supreme Court / international press / ministry-website notifications. pibtracker does not claim to catch these — they are listed here so you can see the full universe of 2021–2026 CA questions, not just the ones we score.
Whether RBI mandates BRSR (it's SEBI); non-financial disclosures
Trigger event
SEBI BRSR Core framework operational from FY 2023-24; expansion in 2024
2023-07
Depth vs. question: SEBI circulars on BRSR not on PIB
Notes: Regulatory mandate; trap is RBI vs SEBI
Which org launched Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia & Pacific — answer ADB
Trigger event
ADB launched Nature Solutions Finance Hub at COP28 (Dec 2023)
2023-12
Depth vs. question: Not covered on PIB; this is an ADB-specific initiative covered in international finance press
Notes: Pure international finance item — no PIB hit
DAC as carbon sequestration; aviation synthetic fuels; food/plastic processing
Trigger event
Continuing climate-tech topic; major DAC announcements in 2024 (Climeworks Mammoth plant; UN IPCC AR6 references)
2024-05
Depth vs. question: DAC not directly covered on PIB; appears in MNRE/DST contextual references only
Notes: Emerging technology coverage in international and science-tech press
Endemic arboreal spider; whether crustacean; habitat range
Trigger event
Featured in news around Andhra Pradesh forest conservation 2024
2024-06
Depth vs. question: Not in PIB; conservation news in The Hindu / Mongabay-India
Notes: Biodiversity factoid — typical UPSC trap
Majorana 1 chip enables quantum computing; introduced by AWS (incorrect — it's Microsoft); deep learning a subset of ML
Trigger event
Microsoft unveiled Majorana 1 chip on 19 Feb 2025
2025-02
Depth vs. question: Microsoft product announcement; PIB only tangentially referenced National Quantum Mission
Notes: Pure tech news item, lead time only 3 months — surprising inclusion
Implications of WB warning on wet-bulb temperatures exceeding 35°C in India
Trigger event
World Bank 'Climate Investment Opportunities in India's Cooling Sector' report Nov 2022; reaffirmed in 2024 climate vulnerability reports
2024-04
Depth vs. question: WB report not directly on PIB; IMD/MoES heatwave releases tangentially relevant
Notes: Background long-running concern; trigger refreshed by 2024 heatwaves
Reagents for artificial rainfall — silver iodide and potassium iodide
Trigger event
Delhi Govt cloud seeding proposal Nov 2023; IIT Kanpur trials 2024
2023-11
Depth vs. question: PIB rarely covers cloud seeding chemistry; covered in Hindustan Times/IIT Kanpur press
Notes: Static-ish chemistry but trigger was Delhi pollution episode
Which org enacted NRL — answer European Union
Trigger event
EU Council formally adopted Nature Restoration Law on 17 June 2024
2024-06
Depth vs. question: EU-specific law; no PIB coverage
Notes: Pure international news item