Current Affairs Quiz — 16 December 2024
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the corpus of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF) launched on 16 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,000 crore
PIB (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD): the scheme provides a corpus of ₹1,000 crore for post-harvest finance availed by farmers against e-NWRs.
CGS-NPF provides guarantee cover for loans against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts for produce stored in warehouses registered with which body?
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Correct answer: D — Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority
PIB (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD): the scheme covers pledge finance against e-NWRs for farmers/traders who store produce in warehouses registered with the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA).
Consider the following statements about CGS-NPF: 1. It was launched by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. 2. It addresses default arising from both credit risk and warehouseman risk. 3. It is expected to boost post-harvest lending to ₹55,000 crore in the next 10 years. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD): Pralhad Joshi launched the scheme, and it addresses default arising from both credit risk and warehouseman risk. Statement 3 is incorrect: the Food Secretary said it is expected to boost post-harvest lending to ₹5.5 lakh crore in the next 10 years.
Under the India–Sri Lanka Joint Statement of 16 December 2024, how many Sri Lankan civil servants are to be trained over five years through India's National Centre for Good Governance?
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Correct answer: B — 1,500
PIB (PMO): the leaders agreed to organise focused training of 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants across ministries and departments over a period of five years through the National Centre for Good Governance in India.
In the India–Sri Lanka Joint Statement of December 2024, the leaders agreed that officials should work towards the early recommencement of the passenger ferry service between:
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Correct answer: B — Rameshwaram and Talaimannar
PIB (PMO): while expressing satisfaction at the resumption of the Nagapattinam–Kankesanthurai ferry, the leaders agreed that officials should work towards the early recommencement of the passenger ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar.
Consider the following statements about the India–Sri Lanka Joint Statement of 16 December 2024: 1. The leaders agreed to take steps towards implementing the solar power project in Sampur. 2. India extended USD 20.66 million to settle payments due for projects completed under existing Lines of Credit. 3. The leaders decided to support the development of Hambantota as a regional energy and industrial hub. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO): statements 1 and 2 are in the joint statement. Statement 3 is incorrect: the leaders decided to support the development of Trincomalee, not Hambantota, as a regional energy and industrial hub.
Ustad Zakir Hussain, whose death the Prime Minister condoled on 16 December 2024, was a maestro of which instrument?
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Correct answer: B — Tabla
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister condoled the passing of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, saying he brought the tabla to the global stage.
According to his family, Ustad Zakir Hussain died in San Francisco from complications of which condition?
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Correct answer: D — Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The Hindu and Hindustan Times: his family said Zakir Hussain died at a hospital in San Francisco from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, at the age of 73.
Vijay Diwas, observed every year on 16 December, commemorates India's victory in the war of which year?
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Correct answer: C — 1971
PIB (Defence): Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December every year to commemorate India's historic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.
Where did Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh lay a wreath on Vijay Diwas, 16 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — National War Memorial, New Delhi
PIB (Defence): to mark the day, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi and paid homage to the bravehearts.
Consider the following statements about Vijay Diwas 2024: 1. President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in paying homage to the soldiers of the 1971 war. 2. Vijay Diwas commemorates India's victory over Pakistan. 3. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Defence): the President led the nation in paying homage; the day commemorates India's historic victory over Pakistan; and COAS General Upendra Dwivedi was among those who laid wreaths. All three statements are correct.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 1.89%
PIB (Commerce & Industry): the annual rate of inflation based on the all-India WPI was 1.89% (provisional) for November 2024 over November 2023.
Consider the following statements about WPI data for November 2024: 1. WPI Food Index inflation was 11.59%. 2. The Fuel & Power group recorded negative annual inflation. 3. The WPI series uses 2011-12 as its base year. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 and 3 only
PIB (Commerce & Industry): Food Index inflation in November 2024 was 8.92% (11.59% was the October 2024 figure), so statement 1 is incorrect. Fuel & Power recorded −5.83%, and the base year is 2011-12, so statements 2 and 3 are correct.
India's total exports (merchandise and services combined) for April–November 2024 were estimated at:
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Correct answer: C — USD 536.25 billion
PIB (Commerce & Industry): India's total exports during April–November 2024 are estimated at USD 536.25 billion, a growth of 7.61%. USD 284.31 billion is merchandise exports alone, USD 498.33 billion the April–November 2023 total, and USD 619.20 billion the total imports.
Which merchandise export category grew by 54.72% in November 2024 compared with November 2023?
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Correct answer: A — Electronic goods
PIB (Commerce & Industry): electronic goods exports increased by 54.72% from USD 2.24 billion to USD 3.47 billion. Rice grew 95.18%, engineering goods 13.75% and marine products 17.82%.
What was the total value of works in Amaravati approved at the 43rd APCRDA meeting on 16 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹24,276 crore
The Hindu, The New Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle: the 43rd APCRDA meeting chaired by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu approved works worth ₹24,276 crore. ₹4,688 crore is the iconic towers, ₹9,699 crore the roads, and about ₹45,249 crore the total over the last four meetings.
Consider the following statements about the APCRDA approvals of 16 December 2024: 1. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. 2. Five iconic towers will be built at a cost of ₹4,688 crore. 3. Roads totalling about 250 km will be laid at a cost of ₹9,699 crore. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu and The New Indian Express: the meeting was chaired by CM Naidu, and five iconic towers will cost ₹4,688 crore. Statement 3 is incorrect: the ₹9,699 crore covers roads totalling about 579.5 km.
Under the CGMFPFED–NCOL MoU signed on 16 December 2024, organic-certified forest produce from Chhattisgarh will be promoted under which brand?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Organics
PIB (Cooperation): organic-certified products from Chhattisgarh, including wild forest honey, tamarind, cashew, chironji, mahua and coarse grains, will be promoted under the brand 'Bharat Organics' in national and international markets.
Under the Chhattisgarh–NDDB dairy agreement of December 2024, the number of dairy cooperative societies in the state will grow from 650 to:
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Correct answer: C — 3,850
PIB (Cooperation): under the partnership, the number of dairy cooperative societies will grow from the current 650 to 3,850, with an additional 3,200 multipurpose primary dairy cooperative societies.
Consider the following statements about the Chhattisgarh–NDDB dairy agreement: 1. Milk collection capacity will rise from 79,000 kg to 5 lakh kg per day. 2. NDDB will charge technical service fees for dairy plants and cattle feed plants. 3. The project will be funded through Central schemes, NABARD loans and State Government contributions. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Cooperation): milk collection will rise from 79,000 kg to 5 lakh kg per day, and funding will come from Central schemes, NABARD loans and the State Government. Statement 2 is incorrect: NDDB will provide managerial support without charging any technical service fees.
What was Delhi's average AQI at 10 PM on 16 December 2024, when the CAQM invoked GRAP Stage-IV across the NCR?
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Correct answer: C — 401
PIB (Environment): the Sub-Committee noted that the AQI was 399 at 9 PM and was recorded as 401 at 10 PM, breaching the 400 mark, and invoked Stage-IV.
As per the Supreme Court's directions of 5 December 2024 in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India, GRAP Stage-III measures must be implemented immediately if Delhi's AQI goes above:
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Correct answer: B — 350
PIB (Environment): the Supreme Court directed that if the AQI goes above 350, Stage-III measures will have to be immediately implemented, and if it crosses 400, Stage-IV measures will have to be reintroduced.
How many Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) are covered by the contract concluded with Cochin Shipyard Limited in March 2023?
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Correct answer: B — 6
PIB (Defence): the contract for construction of six NGMVs was concluded with CSL in March 2023.
From which year is the induction of the Next Generation Missile Vessels into the Indian Navy planned?
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Correct answer: C — 2027
PIB (Defence): induction of the NGMVs into the Indian Navy is planned from 2027 onwards.
Padma Shri awardee environmentalist Tulsi Gowda, who died on 16 December 2024, belonged to which community of Uttara Kannada district?
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Correct answer: A — Halakki
The New Indian Express, India Today and The Indian Express all report that Tulsi Gowda belonged to the Halakki (tribal) community of Uttara Kannada district.
Consider the following statements about Tulsi Gowda: 1. She was a recipient of the Padma Shri. 2. She received the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra award. 3. She died at her residence in Honnali village of Ankola taluk. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
The New Indian Express and India Today report that she received the Padma Shri and the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra award, and that she died at her residence in Honnali village, Ankola taluk, Uttara Kannada. All three statements are correct.
Where was the India–Sri Lanka bilateral naval exercise SLINEX-24 held from 17 to 20 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Visakhapatnam
PIB (Defence): SLINEX 2024 was to be conducted from 17 to 20 December 2024 at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command.
Which Indian Navy ship represented India in SLINEX-24?
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Correct answer: A — INS Sumitra
PIB (Defence): India was represented by INS Sumitra, a Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team; Sri Lanka by SLNS Sayura.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, which signed a logistics education and research MoU with the Indian Navy on 16 December 2024, is located in:
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Correct answer: B — Vadodara
PIB (Railways): Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara signed an MoU with the Indian Navy in New Delhi on 16 December 2024.
Consider the following statements about the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya–Indian Navy MoU: 1. It aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022. 2. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya already had partnerships with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. 3. It was signed on behalf of the Navy by its Controller of Logistics, Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Railways): the MoU aligns with the PM Gati Shakti NMP 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022; it builds on GSV's existing partnerships with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force; and it was signed by Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics. All three statements are correct.