Current Affairs Quiz — 19 January 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which team did India beat in both the men's and women's finals of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Nepal
The Hindu and Sportstar: India beat Nepal 78-40 in the women's final and 54-36 in the men's final.
Who captained the Indian men's team that won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup?
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Correct answer: C — Pratik Waikar
The Hindu and Sportstar: captain Pratik Waikar led the men's team to a 54-36 win over Nepal.
Consider the following statements about the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 finals: 1. The finals were held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. 2. The Indian women's team was led by Priyanka Ingle. 3. The Indian men's team won the final 78-40. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu: the finals were at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and skipper Priyanka Ingle led the women; 78-40 was the women's score, while the men won 54-36.
Which three countries mediated the Gaza ceasefire that took effect on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Egypt, Qatar and the United States
UN OCHA: the ceasefire came into effect through mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
How long is the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire that took effect on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 42 days
UN OCHA: the first phase of the ceasefire is 42 days.
Consider the following statements about the first day of the Gaza ceasefire (19 January 2025): 1. Three Israeli women hostages were handed over via the ICRC. 2. 90 Palestinian detainees were released. 3. Fewer than 100 aid trucks entered Gaza that day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
UN OCHA and UN News: three women hostages were released via the ICRC and 90 Palestinian detainees were freed; more than 630 aid trucks entered Gaza that day.
With which European Commissioner did Piyush Goyal hold a High Level Dialogue in Brussels on 18–19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Maroš Šefčovič
PIB 2094362: Goyal met Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
Consider the following statements about the Goyal–Šefčovič High Level Dialogue of January 2025: 1. It was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders. 2. It was held in New Delhi. 3. Goyal outlined six principles for an India–EU partnership. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2094362: it was their first in-person meeting and Goyal outlined six principles; the dialogue was held in Brussels, not New Delhi.
At the January 2025 India–EU High Level Dialogue, Piyush Goyal estimated the combined India–EU market at over how much?
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Correct answer: D — $24 trillion
PIB 2094362: Goyal described the combined market as currently estimated at over $24 trillion, with 2 billion people.
Who won the women's singles title at the India Open 2025 badminton tournament?
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Correct answer: A — An Se-young
TOI and Sportstar: An Se-young beat Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-12, 21-9 in the women's singles final.
The India Open 2025 badminton tournament, held in New Delhi in January 2025, was played at which tournament level?
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Correct answer: C — Super 750
TOI and Sportstar: the India Open 2025 was a Super 750 tournament.
Consider the following statements about the India Open 2025: 1. Viktor Axelsen won his third India Open title in his sixth final. 2. An Se-young won her first India Open title. 3. A Chinese pair won the mixed doubles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
TOI and Sportstar: Axelsen won his third title in his sixth final and China's Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin won the mixed doubles; it was An Se-young's second India Open title.
After EPFO's January 2025 simplification of PF transfers, about what share of transfer claims is expected to reach EPFO directly without employer intervention?
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Correct answer: D — 94%
PIB 2094230: over 1.20 crore of 1.30 crore transfer claims, about 94%, are expected to be forwarded directly to EPFO.
What share of EPFO members' grievances relate to PF transfer issues, according to EPFO in January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 17%
PIB 2094230: presently 17% of total grievances pertain to transfer-related issues.
Where was the 20th Raising Day ceremony of the NDRF held on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Vijayawada
PIB 2094319: Amit Shah attended the NDRF's 20th Raising Day ceremony in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
Which of the following was NOT among the projects launched at the NDRF's 20th Raising Day on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — A new NDRF headquarters in New Delhi
PIB 2094319: the projects included the NIDM South Campus, the NDRF 10th Battalion and the Supaul campus of the Regional Response Centre; no new headquarters was mentioned.
Who was the Director General of the NDRF at its 20th Raising Day ceremony in January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Piyush Anand
PIB 2094319: NDRF Director General Piyush Anand was present at the ceremony.
In which city did the Divya Kala Mela conclude on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Vadodara
PIB 2094376: the closing ceremony was held at Akota Stadium, Vadodara.
Which organisation's CMD said the Vadodara Divya Kala Mela of January 2025 was the 23rd such fair?
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Correct answer: B — NDFDC
PIB 2094376: NDFDC CMD Navin Shah said this was the 23rd fair.
Where was the 64th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board held on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Bhubaneswar
PIB 2094300: the 64th CGPB meeting was held at the State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
How many critical mineral projects has GSI planned for field season 2025-26, as placed before the 64th CGPB?
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Correct answer: C — 227
PIB 2094300: 227 dedicated critical mineral projects, a 16% increase over the previous year.
At which CIPET centre were a Centre for Skilling and Technical Support and a Plastic Waste Management Centre inaugurated on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Bhagalpur
PIB 2094373: the Centre for Skilling and Technical Support and the Plastic Waste Management Centre are at Bhagalpur.
Which facility was inaugurated at CIPET Ahmedabad by J.P. Nadda on 19 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Calibration Laboratory
PIB 2094373: Nadda inaugurated the Calibration Laboratory at CIPET Ahmedabad; the hostel is at Madurai and the waste centre at Bhagalpur.
Under EPFO's January 2025 profile-update simplification, which members need only employer certification to update their details?
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Correct answer: A — Members with UAN obtained before 1 October 2017
PIB 2094229: where the UAN was obtained prior to 1 October 2017, updation requires certification of the employer only.
About how many EPFO members with pending profile-correction requests benefit immediately from the January 2025 simplification?
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Correct answer: A — 3.9 lakh
PIB 2094229: the revision will immediately benefit around 3.9 lakh members whose requests are pending.