Current Affairs Quiz — 04 January 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who chaired the Joint Monitoring Group meeting held by the Union Health Ministry on 4 January 2025 on respiratory illnesses in China?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Director General of Health Services
PIB (Health): the JMG meeting was held under the Chairmanship of DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
What precautionary step regarding HMPV was agreed at the Joint Monitoring Group meeting of 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ICMR to increase HMPV testing laboratories and monitor trends for the year
PIB (Health): as a precaution, the number of laboratories testing for HMPV will be enhanced by ICMR, which will monitor HMPV trends for the entire year.
Consider the following conclusions of the Health Ministry's Joint Monitoring Group on 4 January 2025: 1. The situation in China is not unusual in view of the flu season. 2. Influenza, RSV and HMPV are among the usual seasonal pathogens behind the surge. 3. ICMR and IDSP data show an unusual surge in SARI cases in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Health): statements 1 and 2 were agreed; data from ICMR and IDSP indicate no unusual surge in ILI and SARI cases.
Which organisation did the PM congratulate for organising the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 inaugurated on 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — NABARD
PIB (PMO): the PM congratulated NABARD and other associates for organising the event.
What is the motto of the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Gaon Badhe, To Desh Badhe
PIB (Finance): the Mahotsav, from 4 to 9 January, has the theme 'Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047' and the motto 'गांव बढ़े, तो देश बढ़े'.
According to the PM at the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025, how many rural women have become Lakhpati Didis?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1.15 crore
PIB (PMO): 1.15 crore women in villages have become Lakhpati Didis and the government aims to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didis.
What was India's coal production (provisional) in calendar year 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Coal?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1,039.59 MT
PIB (Coal): production reached an all-time high of 1,039.59 MT (provisional) in 2024; 1,012.72 MT was the dispatch figure.
By what percentage did India's coal production grow in calendar year 2024 over 2023?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 7.28%
PIB (Coal): production grew 7.28% over 969.07 MT in 2023; dispatch grew 6.56%.
Consider the following statements about India's coal sector in calendar year 2024: 1. Coal dispatch crossed 1,000 million tonnes. 2. Coal production grew faster than coal dispatch. 3. Coal production in 2023 was above 1,000 million tonnes. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Coal): dispatch was 1,012.72 MT; production grew 7.28% vs dispatch 6.56%; 2023 production was 969.07 MT, below 1,000 MT.
INSV Tarini left Lyttelton, New Zealand, on 4 January 2025 for which destination on the third leg of Navika Sagar Parikrama II?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
PIB (Defence): Tarini left Lyttelton for its onward passage (third leg) to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.
Who are the two Indian Navy officers undertaking the Navika Sagar Parikrama II circumnavigation on INSV Tarini?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A
PIB (Defence): the double-handed circumnavigation is being undertaken by Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A.
Consider the following statements about Navika Sagar Parikrama II: 1. It was flagged off from Goa on 2 October 2024. 2. The third leg from Lyttelton is the longest leg of the expedition. 3. The third leg avoids Cape Horn by passing through the Panama Canal. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): flagged off from Goa on 02 Oct 24; the Lyttelton–Port Stanley leg is the longest and passes through the Drake Passage and Cape Horn.
During which period did Rajagopala Chidambaram serve as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1993–2000
DAE: he was Chairman, AEC and Secretary, DAE from 1993 to 2000; Director, BARC 1990–1993; PSA 2001–2018.
Rajagopala Chidambaram, who died on 4 January 2025, chaired which international body's Board of Governors during 1994–1995?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — International Atomic Energy Agency
DAE: he was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (1994–1995).
Consider the following statements about Rajagopala Chidambaram: 1. He played an integral role in India's first nuclear test in 1974. 2. He led the DAE team during the Pokhran-II tests in 1998. 3. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
DAE: all three are stated – integral role in 1974, led the DAE team in Pokhran-II (1998), Padma Shri 1975 and Padma Vibhushan 1999.
Jayant N. Khobragade, appointed on 4 January 2025, will be India's next Ambassador to which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Poland
MEA: Jayant N. Khobragade (IFS: 1995), presently Ambassador to ASEAN, has been appointed the next Ambassador of India to Poland.
Who was appointed on 4 January 2025 as the next Ambassador of India to ASEAN?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Srinivas Gotru
MEA: Srinivas Gotru (IFS: 1997), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed the next Ambassador of India to ASEAN.
To what number was the first-year intake of IIHT Fulia raised when its new campus was inaugurated on 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 66
PIB (Textiles) and ETGovernment: Giriraj Singh declared an increase in first-year intake from the existing 33 to 66.
Which of the following are locations of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology under the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms)? 1. Bargarh 2. Jodhpur 3. Salem Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Textiles): the six IIHTs are at Salem, Varanasi, Guwahati, Jodhpur, Bargarh and Fulia.
In which district of West Bengal is IIHT Fulia located?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Nadia
PIB (Textiles): IIHT Fulia is in Nadia district, West Bengal.
What is the estimated cost of the new Composite Regional Centre (CRC) Madurai building whose foundation stone was laid on 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹36.41 crore
PIB (SJ&E): the new CRC Madurai building will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹36.41 crore.
Under which scheme did Virendra Kumar distribute aids and assistive devices to 120 beneficiaries at Madurai on 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) scheme
PIB (SJ&E): the minister distributed 186 aids and assistive devices to 120 beneficiaries under the PMDK scheme.
Consider the following statements about CRC Madurai: 1. It was set up in December 2023 in a temporary building provided by the Tamil Nadu Government. 2. Its new building will come up on 5.05 acres at Y. Pudupatti. 3. The new building will serve the southern region of Tamil Nadu. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (SJ&E): all three are stated – set up in December 2023 at TNHB Villapuram, 5.05 acres at Y. Pudupatti, serving southern Tamil Nadu.
Which institution serves as the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of India?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — CSIR-National Physical Laboratory
PIB (S&T): CSIR-NPL is the National Metrology Institute of India and develops, maintains and disseminates the National Standards.
Who laid the foundation stone of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory on 4 January 1947?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Jawaharlal Nehru
PIB (S&T): the foundation stone of CSIR-NPL was laid by the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Saturday, 4 January 1947.
Who was the Chief Guest at CSIR-NPL's 79th Foundation Day on 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — V. Kamakoti
PIB (S&T): Prof. Veezhinathan Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, was Chief Guest and delivered the lecture 'Glancing into Metrology'.
At which beach did the Eastern Naval Command hold its Operational Demonstration on 4 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Ramakrishna Beach
PIB (Defence): the Op Demo was held at Ramakrishna Beach, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 04 Jan 25.
Who hosted the Eastern Naval Command's Operational Demonstration at Visakhapatnam on 4 January 2025 as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar
PIB (Defence): the event was hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command, with CM N. Chandrababu Naidu as Chief Guest.