Current Affairs Quiz — 18 December 2024
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How much additional allocation did Tamil Nadu announce for the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme on 18 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹400 crore
New Indian Express, Economic Times and The Hindu: CM M K Stalin announced an additional ₹400 crore for the scheme on 18 December 2024.
What is the unit cost sanctioned per house under Tamil Nadu's Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme for 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — ₹3.50 lakh
New Indian Express, Economic Times and The Hindu: ₹3,500 crore was sanctioned for one lakh houses in 2024-25 at ₹3.50 lakh per house.
By which year does Tamil Nadu aim to build eight lakh houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme for a hut-free state?
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Correct answer: A — 2030
New Indian Express and Economic Times: a survey found eight lakh huts in rural areas, and the state announced construction of eight lakh houses by 2030 to make Tamil Nadu hut-free.
INS Nirdeshak, commissioned on 18 December 2024, belongs to which class of naval ships?
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Correct answer: D — Survey Vessel (Large)
PIB (Defence): INS Nirdeshak is the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) project.
Which shipyard is building the four ships of the Survey Vessel (Large) project, including INS Nirdeshak?
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Correct answer: D — Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata
PIB (Defence): INS Nirdeshak is the second of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships under construction at GRSE, Kolkata.
Where was INS Nirdeshak commissioned into the Indian Navy?
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Correct answer: A — Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam
PIB (Defence): INS Nirdeshak was commissioned on 18 December 2024 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in a ceremony presided over by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth.
In which state was the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin tagged in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Assam
PIB (MoEFCC): the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin was tagged in Assam on 18 December 2024.
Which institution implemented the first Ganges River Dolphin tagging along with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak?
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Correct answer: A — Wildlife Institute of India
PIB (MoEFCC): the tagging was implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak, with National CAMPA funding.
Consider the following statements about the Ganges River Dolphin tagging of December 2024: 1. It was funded by the National CAMPA Authority. 2. A female dolphin was tagged. 3. It was described as the first tagging for the species. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB (MoEFCC): the project was funded by the National CAMPA Authority and was the first tagging not only in India but also for the species. A healthy male, not female, dolphin was tagged, so statement 2 is wrong.
Till what date did EPFO give employers a final opportunity to upload wage details for pending applications for pension on higher wages?
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Correct answer: C — 31 January 2025
PIB (Labour): EPFO gave a final opportunity till 31 January 2025 to employers to upload wage details for over 3.1 lakh pending applications.
EPFO's facility for pension on higher wages was provided in compliance with a Supreme Court order of which date?
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Correct answer: B — 4 November 2022
PIB (Labour): the online facility for Validation of Options/Joint Options was made available in compliance with the Supreme Court order dated 4 November 2022.
How many applications for Validation of Option/Joint Options for pension on higher wages did EPFO receive by the extended deadline of 11 July 2023?
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Correct answer: A — 17.49 lakh
PIB (Labour): a total of 17.49 lakh applications for Validation of Option/Joint Options were received by 11 July 2023.
Minorities Rights Day, observed in India on 18 December, marks the adoption of a UN declaration on minority rights in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 1992
PIB (Minority Affairs): the United Nations adopted the declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities on 18 December 1992.
Who presided over the Minorities Rights Day event organised by the National Commission for Minorities on 18 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Iqbal Singh Lalpura
PIB (Minority Affairs): the event was presided over by NCM Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, while MoS George Kurian was the chief guest.
The National Institute of Siddha set a Guinness World Record in December 2024 for mass delivery of which therapy?
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Correct answer: A — Varmam
PIB (Ayush): the National Institute of Siddha set a Guinness World Record for providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously.
How many individuals received Varmam therapy simultaneously in the National Institute of Siddha's Guinness World Record event?
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Correct answer: B — 567
PIB (Ayush): 567 trained Varmanis simultaneously provided therapy to 567 individuals.
The National Institute of Siddha, which set a Guinness World Record on 18 December 2024, is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Tambaram, Chennai
PIB (Ayush): the record event was held at the NIS campus in Tambaram, Chennai.
As per provisional ESIC payroll data, how many new employees were added under the ESI Scheme in October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 17.80 lakh
PIB (Labour): the provisional payroll data of ESIC shows 17.80 lakh new employees added in October 2024.
How many new establishments were brought under the ESI Scheme in October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 21,588
PIB (Labour): 21,588 new establishments were brought under the social security ambit of the ESI Scheme in October 2024.
Consider the following statements about ESIC payroll data for October 2024: 1. About 47.75% of the new employees were aged up to 25 years. 2. 3.52 lakh female employees were enrolled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Labour): 8.50 lakh of the 17.80 lakh new employees (about 47.75%) were aged up to 25 years, and 3.52 lakh female employees were enrolled. Both statements are correct.
Nanosheets of which material were used by CeNS Bengaluru scientists to regulate infrared radiation, as reported in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Hexagonal boron nitride
PIB (Science & Technology): the strategy uses solution-processed 2D nanoflakes of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) assembled in a polymer network liquid crystal.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential application of the CeNS Bengaluru infrared regulation strategy?
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Correct answer: D — Solar cell power generation
PIB (Science & Technology): the h-BN based strategy has potential for deployment as a radiative heat barrier, in thermal camouflage and in thermal management applications. Solar cell power generation is not mentioned.
What was the title of the special exhibition opened on the National Museum's 64th Foundation Day in December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Heritage Unlocked
PIB (Culture): the special exhibition, organised with ITIHAAS, was titled 'Heritage Unlocked: An Interactive and Educational Experience'.
The origins of the National Museum, New Delhi trace back to 1946, when which committee was formed?
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Correct answer: D — Maurice Gwyer Committee
PIB (Culture): the museum's origins trace back to 1946, when the Maurice Gwyer Committee was formed and the first exhibition of Indian art was showcased in London.
In which year was the National Museum, New Delhi officially inaugurated?
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Correct answer: C — 1960
PIB (Culture): the National Museum was officially inaugurated in 1960; it marked its 64th Foundation Day on 18 December 2024.