Current Affairs Quiz — 27 January 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which state became the first in independent India to bring a Uniform Civil Code into force, on 27 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Uttarakhand
The Hindu and The Tribune (27 January 2025): Uttarakhand became the first state after Independence to implement the UCC.
Which Article of the Constitution directs the State to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for citizens?
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Correct answer: D — Article 44
PIB 2096679: the Vice-President cited Article 44 (Part IV, Directive Principles), which asks the State to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code.
Consider the following statements about the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code: 1. The date of commencement, 27 January 2025, was appointed by the Governor through a notification. 2. The Code and its rules do not apply to members of Scheduled Tribes. 3. Registration of live-in relationships is outside the scope of the UCC portal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
UCC notification and Rules (ucc.uk.gov.in): the Governor appointed 27 January 2025 and the rules exclude Scheduled Tribes. The Hindu: online registration of live-in relationships is mandatory, so statement 3 is wrong.
Who was the first person to register a marriage on the Uttarakhand UCC portal on 27 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
The Tribune (PTI, 27 January 2025): the Chief Minister was the first to register his marriage on the UCC portal; Chief Secretary Radha Raturi handed him the certificate.
AgriHub, an AI-driven Centre of Excellence for agriculture inaugurated on 27 January 2025, is located at which institute?
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Correct answer: D — IIT Indore
PIB 2097808: IIT Indore inaugurated AgriHub on 27 January 2025.
Which Union ministry supported AgriHub, whose Secretary was the chief guest at its launch?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
PIB 2097808: AgriHub was launched by MeitY with IIT Indore; MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan was the chief guest.
Consider the following about AgriHub: 1. It was developed in collaboration with ICAR-CIAE Bhopal and C-DAC Pune. 2. The Madhya Pradesh government is a collaborating partner. 3. It aims to become self-sustaining over ten years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2097808: partners are the MP government, ICAR-IISR Indore, ICAR-CIAE Bhopal and C-DAC Pune; the self-sustaining ecosystem is planned over five years, not ten.
What minimum efficiency does the Solar QCO 2025 set for poly-crystalline silicon PV modules?
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Correct answer: C — 17%
PIB 2097219: 17% for poly-crystalline silicon modules and 18% for mono-crystalline silicon and thin-film modules.
Under which law was the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025 notified?
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Correct answer: C — Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
PIB 2097219: the order was notified in the Gazette dated 27.01.2025 under the BIS Act, 2016.
Consider the following statements about the Solar QCO 2025: 1. It covers solar PV modules, inverters and storage batteries. 2. It comes into effect 180 days from the date of publication. 3. Products meant exclusively for export are also covered. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2097219: the order covers modules, inverters and storage batteries and takes effect after 180 days; products exclusively for export are exempted.
Where did India and Oman sign the protocol amending their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement on 27 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Muscat
Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs (27 January 2025): the protocol was signed in Muscat.
Which session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting did Piyush Goyal co-chair during his January 2025 visit to Oman?
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Correct answer: C — 11th
PIB 2097043: Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman JCM with Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef.
A central expert team was sent to which city in January 2025 after a spurt in Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases?
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Correct answer: D — Pune
PIB 2096793: the Union Health Ministry deputed a team to Pune, Maharashtra.
Which of the following institutions was NOT listed as contributing experts to the central GBS team sent to Pune?
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Correct answer: C — AIIMS Jodhpur
PIB 2096793: the seven experts came from NCDC Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, the Regional Office of Health & FW and NIV Pune; AIIMS Jodhpur was not listed.
With how many cities was Prayagraj Airport directly connected as of late January 2025, for Maha Kumbh?
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Correct answer: C — 17
PIB 2096769: Prayagraj was directly connected with 17 cities, against 8 in December 2024; 26 cities were reachable with direct and connecting flights.
Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj was scheduled to run till which date?
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Correct answer: B — 26 February 2025
PIB 2096769: Prayagraj Airport expanded to handle devotees from 13 January to 26 February 2025.
BAKAMLA, with which the Indian Coast Guard renewed an MoU on 27 January 2025, is the coast guard of which country?
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Correct answer: D — Indonesia
PIB 2097082: BAKAMLA (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia) is the Indonesia Coast Guard.
Consider the following about the ICG–BAKAMLA meeting of January 2025: 1. The MoU on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation was renewed for three years. 2. It was the 2nd High-Level Meeting between the two coast guards. 3. ICG Ship Shaunak was deployed to Surabaya during the visit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2097082: the MoU was renewed for three years at the 2nd HLM in New Delhi; ICG Ship Shaunak was deployed to Jakarta (27–30 January), not Surabaya.
As announced in January 2025, roughly how many track kilometres of Indian Railways had been upgraded for speeds up to 130 kmph?
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Correct answer: A — Over 23,000
PIB 2096768: over 23,000 TKM were upgraded for 130 kmph; about 54,337 TKM were upgraded for 110 kmph.
Sections of which two major rail corridors prominently feature in the 130 kmph track upgrades?
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Correct answer: A — Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal
PIB 2096768: the upgrades prominently feature sections of the Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal networks.
The INST Mohali nano-formulation for Parkinson's disease provides sustained release of which hormone to the brain?
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Correct answer: C — 17β-Estradiol
PIB 2096694: the targeted nano-formulation enables sustained release of 17β-Estradiol (E2) to the brain.
Which nanoparticles were used as the carrier in INST Mohali's Parkinson's nano-formulation?
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Correct answer: B — Chitosan nanoparticles
PIB 2096694: Dopamine Receptor D3 was conjugated to 17β-Estradiol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.
As of 27 January 2025, what was the total area reported under Rabi crops?
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Correct answer: C — Over 655.88 lakh ha
PIB 2096743: Rabi crop sowing exceeded 655.88 lakh hectares as on 27 January 2025.
Which crop covered the largest Rabi area as of 27 January 2025, at 324.38 lakh hectares?
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Correct answer: B — Wheat
PIB 2096743: wheat covered 324.38 lakh ha, against 315.63 lakh ha a year earlier.
The Incubation & Innovation Complex (IICON) inaugurated at the North East Aroma Conclave 2025 belongs to which institute?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-NEIST
PIB 2096771: Jitendra Singh inaugurated the IICON of CSIR-NEIST at the North East Aroma Conclave 2025.
Consider the following about CSIR-NEIST's work under the Aroma and Floriculture Missions: 1. Aromatic crops have been introduced over more than 5,000 hectares in the North East. 2. Over 10,000 farmers have benefited. 3. IICON offers 27 advanced technologies to startups and MSMEs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2096771: crops such as citronella and lemongrass cover more than 5,000 ha benefiting over 10,000 farmers, and IICON offers 27 advanced technologies.