Current Affairs Quiz — 21 January 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
From when will the Diamond Imprest Authorization Scheme, introduced in January 2025, be implemented?
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Correct answer: D — 1 April 2025
PIB 2094862: the DIA Scheme will be implemented with effect from 1 April 2025.
The Diamond Imprest Authorization Scheme allows duty-free import of natural cut and polished diamonds of what size?
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Correct answer: A — Less than ¼ carat (25 cents)
PIB 2094862: the scheme allows duty-free import of natural cut and polished diamonds of less than ¼ carat (25 cents).
Consider the following about the Diamond Imprest Authorization Scheme: 1. It mandates an export obligation with 10% value addition. 2. Exporters with Two Star Export House status and above and US$15 million annual exports are eligible. 3. It allows duty-free import of lab-grown diamonds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2094862: the scheme requires 10% value addition and is open to Two Star Export Houses with US$15 million exports; it covers natural cut and polished diamonds.
Where did Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launch the revised state anthem on the 53rd Statehood Day?
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Correct answer: C — Jowai
India Today NE and Hub Network: the revised anthem was launched at the anniversary celebration in Jowai on 21 January 2025.
In which year was Meghalaya carved out of Assam as a separate state, an anniversary marked every 21 January?
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Correct answer: A — 1972
TOI and The Shillong Times: Meghalaya, earlier part of Assam, became a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972.
Which body organised the second meeting of the BIMSTEC Expert Group on Cyber Security Cooperation in January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — National Security Council Secretariat
PIB 2095700: the National Security Council Secretariat organised the meeting on 21 January 2025 in New Delhi.
Over what timeframe is the BIMSTEC cyber security Action Plan proposed to be implemented?
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Correct answer: C — 5 years
PIB 2095700: the Action Plan has been proposed to be implemented within 5 years.
Consider the following about the BIMSTEC Expert Group on Cyber Security Cooperation: 1. Its second meeting was held in New Delhi on 21 January 2025. 2. Its first meeting was hosted by India in 2022. 3. The proposed Action Plan covers protection of critical information infrastructure. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2095700: the second meeting was in New Delhi on 21 January 2025, India hosted the first in 2022, and the Action Plan covers critical information infrastructure.
How many TEUs did Jawaharlal Nehru Port handle in 2024, its highest ever?
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Correct answer: B — 7.05 million TEUs
PIB 2094901: in 2024 the port handled its highest ever container volume of 7.05 million TEUs.
How much capacity did the second phase of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal add to JNPA in January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 2.4 million TEUs
PIB 2094901: commissioning of BMCT Phase 2 in January 2025 added 2.4 million TEUs to JNPA's capacity.
Which port became India's largest by crossing 10 million TEUs of capacity in January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai
PIB 2094901: JNPA became India's largest port by crossing 10+ million TEUs capacity in January 2025.
How many T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks did the Ministry of Defence contract for in January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 47
PIB 2094857: the contract is for 47 T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks at ₹1,560.52 crore.
Which unit will supply the 47 T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks to the Indian Army?
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Correct answer: D — Heavy Vehicles Factory, AVNL
PIB 2094857: the contract was signed with Heavy Vehicles Factory, a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited.
Under which procurement category was the January 2025 contract for T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks placed?
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Correct answer: C — Buy (Indian-IDDM)
PIB 2094857: the case is a Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) procurement.
What was the focus of the 27th PM-STIAC meeting held on 21 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Cell and gene therapy
PIB 2094915: the 27th PM-STIAC meeting discussed cell and gene therapy in India.
Who chaired the 27th meeting of PM-STIAC?
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Correct answer: B — Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood
PIB 2094915: the meeting was chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
Where was the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference held in January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Patna
PIB 2094919: Om Birla addressed the valedictory session of the 85th AIPOC in Patna.
How many resolutions did the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference adopt?
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Correct answer: C — 5
PIB 2094919: the 85th AIPOC adopted five resolutions.
Consider the following about the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference: 1. It concluded in Patna on 21 January 2025. 2. One of its resolutions concerned the use of digital technology. 3. Its valedictory session was addressed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2094919: the AIPOC concluded in Patna and adopted a resolution on digital technology; the valedictory session was addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
To what level has India's social protection coverage doubled, as acknowledged at the ISSA seminar in New Delhi in January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 48.8%
PIB 2094922: India's progress in doubling social protection coverage to 48.8% was acknowledged at the forum.
With which international organisation did the Labour Ministry and ESIC host the January 2025 seminar on social security for informal-sector workers?
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Correct answer: A — International Social Security Association
PIB 2094922: the seminar was hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and ESIC in collaboration with the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
Where was the SATRC Workshop on Spectrum, inaugurated by the TRAI Chairman on 21 January 2025, held?
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Correct answer: D — Goa
PIB 2094696: the workshop was hosted by TRAI at a hotel in Goa.
Which organisation organised the SATRC Workshop on Spectrum hosted by TRAI in January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
PIB 2094696: the workshop was organised by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity and hosted by TRAI.
The IndiaAI CyberGuard AI Hackathon is being run by the IndiaAI Mission in collaboration with which body?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C)
PIB 2094900: IndiaAI announced the CyberGuard AI Hackathon in collaboration with I4C.
How many applicants were shortlisted for stage 2 of the IndiaAI CyberGuard AI Hackathon, out of how many submissions?
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Correct answer: D — 20 of 263
PIB 2094900: 263 submissions were received and 20 applicants were shortlisted for stage 2.
About how many cybercrime cases are reported daily on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, as cited for the CyberGuard AI Hackathon?
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Correct answer: C — 6,000
PIB 2094900: approximately 6,000 cases are reported daily through the NCRP.