Current Affairs Quiz — 09 October 2024
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
David Baker received half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 for what?
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Correct answer: A — Computational protein design
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): one half to David Baker 'for computational protein design'.
Which AI model, presented in 2020 by Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, was recognised by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024?
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Correct answer: D — AlphaFold2
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): in 2020, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper presented an AI model called AlphaFold2.
Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, Nobel Chemistry 2024 laureates, are affiliated with which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — Google DeepMind
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): Demis Hassabis and John Jumper are listed with Google DeepMind, London, UK.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024: 1. It was awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 2. AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences decided to award the prize, and AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries.
Till when did the Union Cabinet on 9 October 2024 approve continuation of free fortified rice supply under PMGKAY and other schemes?
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Correct answer: B — December 2028
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the Cabinet approved continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice from July 2024 up to December 2028.
Which micronutrients are added to rice through Fortified Rice Kernels under the rice fortification initiative?
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Correct answer: D — Iron, folic acid and vitamin B12
PIB (9 Oct 2024): rice fortification adds Fortified Rice Kernels enriched with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, as per FSSAI standards, to regular rice.
The continuation of the rice fortification initiative approved on 9 October 2024 complements which Government strategy?
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Correct answer: A — Anaemia Mukt Bharat
PIB (9 Oct 2024): continuation of the rice fortification initiative will complement the interventions under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy.
Consider the following statements about the rice fortification initiative: 1. It will continue as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY. 2. Universal coverage of fortified rice in all Government schemes was achieved by March 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. PIB (9 Oct 2024): the initiative continues as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY, and universal coverage was achieved by March 2024 after three phases.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex approved by the Union Cabinet on 9 October 2024 is being developed at:
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Correct answer: C — Lothal
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the Cabinet approved development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
Which Union Ministry is setting up the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) is setting up a world class NMHC at Lothal.
About how many jobs are expected to be created in the development of the NMHC project at Lothal?
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Correct answer: D — 22,000
PIB (9 Oct 2024): around 22,000 jobs are expected, with 15,000 direct and 7,000 indirect employment.
Consider the following statements about the NMHC at Lothal: 1. Phase 1A is to be developed through land subleasing/PPP. 2. The Light House Museum under Phase 1B will be funded by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. PIB (9 Oct 2024): Phases 1A and 1B are to be developed in EPC mode and Phase 2 through land subleasing/PPP; the Light House Museum under Phase 1B will be funded by DGLL.
Ratan Tata, who passed away on 9 October 2024, held which position at Tata Sons at the time of his death?
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Correct answer: C — Chairman Emeritus
Times of India / NDTV (9 Oct 2024): Ratan Naval Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away; the statement was issued by N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons.
Which civilian honour had Ratan Tata received, as noted in the Tata Sons statement of 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Padma Vibhushan
Tata Sons statement, carried by Times of India (9 Oct 2024), is headed 'Padma Vibhushan Mr. Ratan N Tata, 28.12.1937-09.10.2024'.
Consider the following statements about Ratan Tata: 1. He was born on 28 December 1937. 2. The Tata Sons statement on his death was issued by Cyrus Mistry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The Tata Sons statement (Times of India, NDTV, 9 Oct 2024) gives his dates as 28.12.1937-09.10.2024 and was issued by N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons.
The Union Cabinet on 9 October 2024 approved roads in border areas of which two states?
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Correct answer: D — Rajasthan and Punjab
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the Cabinet approved construction of 2,280 km roads in border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab.
What is the investment for the 2,280 km of border-area roads approved by the Cabinet on 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹4,406 crore
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the roads will be built at an investment of Rs 4,406 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Cabinet decision of 9 October 2024 on border roads: 1. It covers construction of 2,280 km of roads. 2. It covers border areas of Gujarat as well. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. PIB (9 Oct 2024): 2,280 km roads in border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab; Gujarat is not included.
The Universal Postal Union, whose 150th anniversary was marked with stamps on 9 October 2024, was established in which city?
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Correct answer: C — Bern
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the UPU was established on October 9, 1874, in Bern, Switzerland.
How many member countries does the Universal Postal Union have, as per the Department of Posts release of 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 192
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the UPU ensures seamless mail exchange among its 192 member countries.
By how much did India reduce its Maternal Mortality Ratio between 2000 and 2020, as commended by UNFPA in October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 70%
PIB (9 Oct 2024): Dr Kanem commended India's efforts in reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by an impressive 70% between 2000 and 2020.
Who, as Executive Director of UNFPA, felicitated India's Union Health Secretary for progress in maternal health (PIB, 9 October 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Dr Natalia Kanem
PIB (9 Oct 2024): Dr Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, felicitated Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava; Andrea M. Wojnar is the UNFPA India Representative.
As per CAMS 2022-23 results released on 9 October 2024, what share of persons aged 15-24 can read, write and do simple arithmetic?
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Correct answer: D — 96.9 percent
MoSPI via PIB (9 Oct 2024): approximately 96.9 percent of persons aged 15-24 years can read and write simple statements with understanding and perform simple arithmetic.
According to CAMS 2022-23, what are the mean years of formal schooling for persons aged 15 years and above at the all-India level?
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Correct answer: B — 8.4
MoSPI via PIB (9 Oct 2024): mean years of schooling in formal education for persons aged 15 and above is 8.4; for 25 and above it is 7.5.
Consider the following statements about the CAMS 2022-23 results: 1. CAMS was conducted as part of the 79th round of the National Sample Survey. 2. Average household out-of-pocket expenditure on hospitalisation was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. MoSPI via PIB (9 Oct 2024): CAMS was part of the NSS 79th round; hospitalisation out-of-pocket expenditure was Rs 4,129 rural and Rs 5,290 urban, so it was higher in urban areas.
How many students will the Indian Institute of Skills, Mumbai, inaugurated on 9 October 2024, train annually in Industry 4.0 skills?
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Correct answer: D — 5,000
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the institute is to train 5000 students annually in Industry 4.0 skills.
The Indian Institute of Skills, Mumbai, is a PPP between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and:
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Correct answer: B — Tata IIS, a Section 8 company under Tata Trusts
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the institute is a collaboration between MSDE and Tata IIS (a section 8 company under Tata Trusts).
How many Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra did PM Modi inaugurate on 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 10
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the PM inaugurated 10 Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra.
On 9 October 2024, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a new integrated terminal building at which airport in Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: C — Shirdi
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the PM laid the foundation stone for a New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi Airport.
What was the total value of the Maharashtra projects for which PM Modi laid foundation stones on 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Over ₹7,600 crore
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the PM laid the foundation stone for various development projects in Maharashtra worth over Rs 7600 crore.
The opening ceremony of MALABAR 2024 on 9 October 2024 was held onboard INS Satpura at which port?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the Opening Ceremony of MALABAR 2024 under the Eastern Naval Command was held onboard INS Satpura at Visakhapatnam on 09 Oct 24.
MALABAR 2024, held from 8 to 18 October 2024, was which edition of the exercise?
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Correct answer: D — 28th
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the 28th edition of the multinational maritime exercise commenced on 08 Oct 24 and would extend till 18 Oct 24.
Consider the following statements about Exercise MALABAR: 1. It was initiated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the US. 2. Japan and Australia joined it subsequently. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. PIB (9 Oct 2024): MALABAR was initiated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the US, with Japan and Australia joining in subsequently.