Current Affairs Quiz — 16 January 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
With the SpaDeX docking on 16 January 2025, India became which country in the world to achieve space docking?
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Correct answer: B — Fourth
PIB (DoS): India became the fourth country to achieve space docking; The Hindu: after the USA, Russia and China.
Which launch vehicle carried the SpaDeX satellites into orbit on 30 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — PSLV-C60
PIB: ISRO launched the SpaDeX spacecraft on PSLV-C60 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 30 December 2024.
In the SpaDeX mission, which satellite acted as the 'Chaser'?
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Correct answer: B — SDX01
ISRO and PIB: the two satellites are SDX01, the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, each weighing about 220 kg.
Consider the following statements about the SpaDeX mission: 1. Each of the two SpaDeX satellites weighs about 220 kg. 2. The docking sequence moved the spacecraft from a 15-metre to a 3-metre hold point before capture. 3. Power transfer between the docked spacecraft was completed on the same day as docking. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (DoS): each satellite weighs about 220 kg and the spacecraft moved from the 15 m to the 3 m hold point before capture. Undocking and power-transfer checks were scheduled for the coming days, not done on 16 January.
What is the approved cost of the Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota, cleared by the Cabinet on 16 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,984.86 crore
PIB (Cabinet): the total fund requirement is ₹3,984.86 crore, including the launch pad and associated facilities.
Within what period is the Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota targeted to be established?
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Correct answer: C — 48 months
PIB: the TLP is targeted to be established within 48 months, or 4 years.
Consider the following statements about India's launch pads as per the Cabinet's Third Launch Pad decision (January 2025): 1. The First Launch Pad was realised about 30 years ago for PSLV and also supports SSLV. 2. The Second Launch Pad is being readied to launch the human-rated LVM3 for Gaganyaan. 3. The Third Launch Pad is meant primarily for SSLV launches. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB: the FLP was realised 30 years ago for PSLV and supports PSLV and SSLV; the SLP is getting ready for the human-rated LVM3 for Gaganyaan. The TLP is for Next Generation Launch Vehicles and as a standby for the SLP, not mainly for SSLV.
The Archaeological Experiential Museum inaugurated by Amit Shah on 16 January 2025 is located in which town of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: C — Vadnagar
PIB (Culture): the museum and archaeological interpretation centre were inaugurated in Vadnagar, Gujarat.
What is the total investment in the Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum project, including five years of operations and maintenance?
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Correct answer: A — ₹298 crore
PIB: with an investment of ₹298 crore, the project covers capital costs and five years of operations and maintenance.
Consider the following statements about the Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum: 1. The museum complex has nine thematic galleries. 2. A 50-metre bridge links the museum building to the excavation site. 3. It displays over 5,000 artefacts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Culture): the 12,500 sq m complex has nine thematic galleries, a 50-metre connecting bridge to the excavation site, and over 5,000 artefacts.
The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,960 crore contract on 16 January 2025 with which company for MRSAM missiles for the Indian Navy?
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Correct answer: C — Bharat Dynamics Limited
PIB (MoD): the contract for MRSAM for the Indian Navy was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
Under which procurement category will BDL supply the MRSAM missiles under the January 2025 contract?
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Correct answer: D — Buy (Indian)
PIB: the missiles will be supplied by BDL under the 'Buy (Indian)' category with largely indigenous content.
Which anniversary of India-Singapore diplomatic relations was marked by a logo launched by the two Presidents on 16 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 60th
PIB (President's Secretariat): the two leaders jointly launched a logo commemorating the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore bilateral relations.
As noted by President Murmu while hosting Singapore's President in January 2025, India and Singapore have elevated their relationship to a:
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Correct answer: C — Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
PIB: the President noted that the two countries recently elevated the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Who was the Chief Guest at the first Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India on 16 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna
PIB (Lokpal): the Foundation Day was held in the presence of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna as Chief Guest; the Attorney General attended as a dignitary.
The Lokpal of India was established on 16 January 2014 by the coming into force of which provision?
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Correct answer: B — Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
PIB: the Lokpal was established by the coming into force of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, on 16.01.2014.
Who was the Chairperson of the Lokpal of India at its first Foundation Day in January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Justice A.M. Khanwilkar
PIB: the Chairperson, Lokpal of India, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, addressed the function; Justice Lingappa Narayana Swami spoke as a Member, and Justice N. Santosh Hegde attended as a former Supreme Court judge.
Which factbook did Piyush Goyal launch on the 9th foundation day of Startup India (16 January 2025)?
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Correct answer: B — PRABHAAV
PIB (Commerce): Goyal launched the PRABHAAV Factbook and the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge at the celebration of 9 years of Startup India.
According to the Commerce Minister on 16 January 2025, how many startups did India have as of 15 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1,59,157
PIB: India became the world's third-largest startup ecosystem with 1,59,157 startups as of 15 January 2025, from about 500 in 2016.
The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), credited by Piyush Goyal for supporting Tier II and Tier III startups, is administered by:
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Correct answer: B — SIDBI
PIB: the Fund of Funds for Startups is administered by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and financed by the Government of India.
Vineet Joshi, who took charge as Secretary, Department of Higher Education on 16 January 2025, was earlier the Chief Secretary of which state?
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Correct answer: A — Manipur
PIB (Education): before this appointment, Vineet Joshi served as the Chief Secretary of Manipur.
Which of the following posts has Vineet Joshi NOT held, as per the January 2025 release on his appointment?
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Correct answer: C — Chairman, UGC
PIB: Joshi has been DG of NTA, Chairman of CBSE and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Education; Chairman of UGC is not listed.
Which school won first prize in the 25th National Youth Parliament Competition, 2023-24 for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas?
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Correct answer: A — JNV Chandrapur, Maharashtra
PIB (Parliamentary Affairs): Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandrapur, Maharashtra (Pune Region) won first prize.
Where was the prize distribution of the 25th National Youth Parliament Competition for JNVs held on 16 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — GMC Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building
PIB: the function was held at GMC Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building, Parliament House Complex, New Delhi.
At the first-ever CSR round table for sports on 16 January 2025, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged each corporate to:
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Correct answer: B — Adopt one sport
PIB (Sports): Mandaviya urged corporates to adopt one sport during the first-ever corporate round-table conference.
At the CSR round table in January 2025, the Sports Minister set the vision of placing India among the top five global sports performers by which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2047
PIB: Mandaviya emphasised a vision to position India among the top five global sports performers by 2047; the 2036 goal mentioned is a top-10 finish at the Olympics.
The MoEFCC workshop on 'Financing India's Green Transition Plan and Adaptation Needs', which began in Kolkata on 16 January 2025, was held under which programme?
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Correct answer: C — Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme
PIB (MoEFCC): the workshop was organised under the ongoing Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme.
At the Kolkata green finance workshop (January 2025), the MoEFCC Economic Advisor noted that which document called for developing India's own climate finance taxonomy?
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Correct answer: A — Union Budget 2024-25
PIB: Rajasree Ray pointed out that the Budget presented for 2024-25 called for developing India's own climate finance taxonomy.