Current Affairs Quiz — 17 January 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which feature of the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, launched on 17 January 2025, lets users report suspected fraud calls and SMS?
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Correct answer: A — Chakshu
PIB (DoT): Chakshu, Reporting Suspected Fraud Communications, lets users report suspected calls and SMS from the app and phone logs.
Under National Broadband Mission 2.0, operational optical fibre connectivity is to be extended to how many villages by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 2.70 lakh
PIB: NBM 2.0 targets OFC connectivity to 2.70 lakh villages by 2030 with 95% uptime, from about 50,000 now.
Consider the following targets of National Broadband Mission 2.0 (launched January 2025): 1. Raise the national average fixed broadband download speed to at least 100 Mbps by 2030. 2. Provide broadband to 90% of anchor institutions such as schools, PHCs, anganwadis and panchayat offices by 2030. 3. Power 50% of mobile towers with sustainable energy by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB: NBM 2.0 targets at least 100 Mbps average fixed broadband speed (from 63.55 Mbps) and broadband to 90% of anchor institutions by 2030; the tower target is 30% on sustainable energy, not 50%.
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), for which a ₹11,440 crore revival plan was approved in January 2025, operates which steel plant?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
PIB (Steel): RINL operates the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh, the only offshore steel plant in the government sector.
How much equity capital does the RINL revival plan approved by the CCEA (announced 17 January 2025) provide?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,300 crore
PIB: the ₹11,440 crore plan includes ₹10,300 crore equity capital and conversion of a ₹1,140 crore working capital loan into preference share capital.
Consider the following statements about Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) as per the January 2025 revival plan release: 1. RINL is a Schedule-A CPSE wholly owned by the Government of India. 2. Its plant has an installed capacity of 7.3 Mtpa of liquid steel. 3. The ₹1,140 crore working capital loan is to be converted into 7% non-cumulative preference shares redeemable after 10 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Steel): RINL is a Schedule-A CPSE with 100% Government ownership, its plant has 7.3 Mtpa liquid steel capacity, and the ₹1,140 crore loan converts into 7% non-cumulative preference share capital redeemable after 10 years.
Which of the following was NOT among the recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024, presented on 17 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Neeraj Chopra
PIB awardee list: the Khel Ratna 2024 went to Gukesh D. (chess), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey), Praveen Kumar (para-athletics) and Manu Bhaker (shooting).
Which university won the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Chandigarh University, Punjab
PIB awardee list: the Government declared Chandigarh University, Punjab, as the winner of the MAKA Trophy 2024, which carries a cash award of ₹15 lakh.
Consider the following statements about the Sports and Adventure Awards presented on 17 January 2025: 1. Praveen Kumar received the Khel Ratna for para-athletics (men's high jump T64). 2. Subhash Rana, a para shooting coach, received a Dronacharya Award. 3. The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy was instituted in 1991-92. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB awardee list: Praveen Kumar's Khel Ratna was for para-athletics (high jump T64 gold at Paris 2024), and para shooting coach Subhash Rana received a Dronacharya Award. The MAKA Trophy was instituted in 1956-57.
Which of the following was NOT a venue of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 (17–22 January 2025)?
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Correct answer: B — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
PIB (Commerce): the expo was held across Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi (Dwarka) and India Expo Centre & Mart (Greater Noida).
While inaugurating the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, PM Modi recalled the contributions of which two industry legends?
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Correct answer: A — Ratan Tata and Osamu Suzuki
PIB: the Prime Minister recalled the contribution of Ratan Tata and Osamu Suzuki, saying their legacy will inspire the mobility sector.
The National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR), inaugurated on 17 January 2025, is located in:
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Correct answer: A — Sehore, Madhya Pradesh
PIB (MoSJE): Union Minister Virendra Kumar inaugurated NIMHR in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.
Under which department has the National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation, Sehore been established?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
PIB: the institute was established under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), with an initial project cost of ₹127 crore.
How many cities entered the newly created Super Swachh League under Swachh Survekshan, announced on 17 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 12
PIB (MoHUA): there are 12 cities in the Super Swachh League.
Which of the following cities is NOT in the million-plus category of the Super Swachh League (Swachh Survekshan, 9th edition)?
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Correct answer: D — Noida
PIB: the million-plus cities in the league are Navi Mumbai, Indore and Surat; Noida is in the big cities (3–10 lakh) category with Chandigarh.
Consider the following statements about the Super Swachh League introduced in Swachh Survekshan: 1. Cities that were in the top 3 in at least 2 of the last 3 years (2021–2023) qualified. 2. Cities in the league must maintain a score of 85% or higher to retain their position. 3. Swachh Survekshan was first launched by MoHUA in 2014. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB: cities in the top 3 in at least 2 of 2021–2023 made the cut, and league ULBs must keep 85% or higher. Swachh Survekshan was first launched in 2016.
On 17 January 2025, the CAQM Sub-Committee revoked which stage of GRAP across the NCR?
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Correct answer: D — Stage III
PIB (MoEFCC): the Sub-Committee revoked Stage-III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect; Stages I and II remain.
Consider the following statements about GRAP actions in Delhi-NCR in January 2025: 1. Stages III and IV were invoked on 15 January 2025 when Delhi's average AQI breached 350. 2. Stage IV was revoked on 16 January 2025 when the AQI improved to 302. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: GRAP Stages III and IV were invoked on 15.01.2025 when Delhi's AQI breached 350, and Stage IV was revoked on 16.01.2025 when the AQI improved to 302.
CG Power's semiconductor OSAT unit, for which a Fiscal Support Agreement was signed on 17 January 2025, is being set up at:
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Correct answer: B — Sanand, Gujarat
PIB (MeitY): CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd is setting up its semiconductor OSAT unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
What share of eligible capital expenditure will India Semiconductor Mission provide as fiscal support to the CG OSAT project (pari-passu basis)?
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Correct answer: D — 50%
PIB: the project will benefit from 50% fiscal support on a pari-passu basis for the eligible CAPEX from India Semiconductor Mission.
India's first-of-its-kind CSIR Innovation Complex, inaugurated on 17 January 2025, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: C — Mumbai
PIB (S&T): Jitendra Singh inaugurated India's first-of-its-kind CSIR Innovation Complex in Mumbai through virtual mode on 17 January.
How many ready-to-move incubation labs does the CSIR Innovation Complex, Mumbai have?
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Correct answer: D — 24
PIB: the complex is spread over nine floors and equipped with 24 ready-to-move incubation labs.
How many stalls does the KVIC National-level Khadi Exhibition at Mahakumbh 2025, inaugurated on 17 January 2025, have?
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Correct answer: C — 152
PIB (MSME): the exhibition has 152 stalls, with 98 displaying Khadi products and 54 village industry products.
According to the KVIC Chairman at the Mahakumbh Khadi Exhibition (January 2025), sales of Khadi and Village Industries products over the past 10 years rose from ₹31,000 crore to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹1.55 lakh crore
PIB: sales of Khadi and Village Industries products increased from ₹31,000 crore to ₹1.55 lakh crore; production rose from ₹26,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore.
The UNESCO–MeitY stakeholder consultation held on 16–17 January 2025 was on which subject?
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Correct answer: A — AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM)
PIB (MeitY): UNESCO and MeitY organised a two-day stakeholder consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in India.
Consider the following statements about the UNESCO–MeitY AI RAM consultation of January 2025: 1. It was the second in a series of five consultations under the AI RAM initiative. 2. Ikigai Law was the implementing partner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: the consultation was the second of five under the AI RAM initiative, and Ikigai Law was the implementing partner.
The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) signed an MoU with which institution on 17 January 2025 to strengthen PMLA compliance in housing finance?
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Correct answer: C — National Housing Bank
PIB (Finance): FIU-IND and the National Housing Bank signed the MoU in New Delhi.
Under the FIU-IND–NHB MoU of January 2025, how often will the two parties meet to discuss AML/CFT typologies and trends?
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Correct answer: B — Quarterly
PIB: the MoU provides for a quarterly meeting to discuss typologies and trends in AML/CFT crimes and related matters.