Awards & Honours Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair, who died on 25 December 2024, was a recipient of which honour, described as India's highest literary honour?
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Correct answer: D — Jnanpith Award
BBC, The Indian Express and Mathrubhumi: M.T. Vasudevan Nair was a Jnanpith awardee; the BBC describes the Jnanpith as India's highest literary honour.
For how many days did the Kerala government declare official mourning after M.T. Vasudevan Nair's death in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Two days
The Indian Express and Mathrubhumi: the Kerala government declared two days of mourning, on 26 and 27 December 2024.
In which year was M.T. Vasudevan Nair awarded the Padma Bhushan?
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Correct answer: A — 2005
The Indian Express and Mathrubhumi: M.T. Vasudevan Nair was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
Which award did the Amir of Kuwait confer on PM Narendra Modi on 22 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer
PIB (PMO): the Amir of Kuwait conferred The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, the highest national award of Kuwait, on PM Modi.
In which year was Kuwait's Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer instituted?
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Correct answer: A — 1974
PIB (PMO): The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer was instituted in 1974 and has since been conferred on select global leaders.
PM Modi's visit to Kuwait in December 2024 was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to that country in how many years?
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Correct answer: D — 43 years
PIB (PMO): the award was conferred during the historic visit of a Prime Minister of India to Kuwait after 43 years.
Which edition of the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar was conferred at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 21 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 69th
PIB (Railways): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 101 railway officials at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
How many railway officials received the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 101
PIB (Railways): the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar was conferred on 101 railway officials, and 22 shields were given to the best-performing zones.
In the Railway Minister's December 2024 announcement on rewarding zones, what does 'SMQT' stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Safest, Maintenance, Quality and Training
PIB (Railways): Vaishnaw said financial rewards along with shields would be given from next year for excellent SMQT (Safest, Maintenance, Quality and Training) practices.
Which defence institution received the President's Colours from President Droupadi Murmu on 20 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — College of Defence Management, Secunderabad
PIB (Defence): President Droupadi Murmu awarded the President's Colours to the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, on 20 December 2024.
In which year was the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, established?
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Correct answer: A — 1970
PIB (Defence): the President highlighted the contributions made by the College of Defence Management since its establishment in 1970.
What was the title of the compilation of strategic guidance from ancient Indian texts released by the President at CDM in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Pearls of Ancient Indian Wisdom
PIB (Defence): the President released a revised peer-reviewed compilation of strategic guidance from the ancient Indian Knowledge System (1st century BCE to 7th century CE) titled 'Pearls of Ancient Indian Wisdom'.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour to which State Police force in Raipur on 15 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Chhattisgarh Police
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah presented the prestigious 'President's Colour' to the Chhattisgarh Police in Raipur on 15 December 2024.
The Chhattisgarh Police earned the President's Colour within how many years of its establishment?
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Correct answer: C — 25
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah commended the Chhattisgarh Police for earning this honour within just 25 years of its establishment, in its silver jubilee year.
Where were the National Panchayat Awards 2024 conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on 11 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
PIB (11 Dec 2024): the National Panchayat Awards Conferment Ceremony 2024 was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
How many awardees received the National Panchayat Awards 2024 on 11 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 45
PIB (11 Dec 2024): the President conferred National Panchayat Awards upon 45 awardees (42 Panchayats and 3 Capacity Building Institutes).
On which day are the National Panchayat Awards usually presented, before being rescheduled to 11 December in 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 24 April
PIB (11 Dec 2024): the awards are usually celebrated on 24 April, National Panchayati Raj Day; due to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections the ceremony was rescheduled to 11 December.
About how many Gram Panchayats participated in the National Panchayat Awards 2024 competition?
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Correct answer: B — 1.94 lakh
PIB (11 Dec 2024): 1.94 lakh Gram Panchayats participated in the competition this year.
Consider the following about the National Panchayat Awards 2024: 1. The awards were revamped in 2022 to align with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). 2. Prize money of Rs 46 crore was transferred digitally to the awardees. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB (11 Dec 2024): in 2022 the awards were revamped to align with the SDGs through Localization of SDGs (LSDGs), and Rs 46 crore in prize money was transferred directly to the 45 awardees.
Which Indian body received the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award on 25 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Chemical Council
PIB: the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award was conferred on the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) during CSP-29 in The Hague — the first time it recognised a chemical industry body.
Consider the following statements, as given in the release on the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award: 1. The Chemical Weapons Convention came into force in 1997 and has 193 States Parties. 2. The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: the CWC came into force in 1997 and presently has 193 States Parties, and the OPCW won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013, after which it set up the OPCW-The Hague Award in 2014. Both are correct.
What new feature was added to the National Gopal Ratna Awards from 2024?
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Correct answer: D — A special award for North Eastern Region States in all three categories
PIB (DAHD): from this year the Department incorporated a special award for NER States in all three categories of the National Gopal Ratna Awards.
What is the cash prize for the first rank under the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹5 lakh
PIB (DAHD): the award carries ₹5 lakh for 1st rank, ₹3 lakh for 2nd, ₹2 lakh for 3rd and ₹2 lakh for the NER special award.
Who received the Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award presented in the President's presence on 23 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Gulzar
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President specially congratulated Gulzar on getting the Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award.
At Sahitya Aaj Tak on 23 November 2024, President Murmu asked the organisers to encourage the literature of underprivileged classes. What term did she use for it?
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Correct answer: D — Subaltern literature
PIB (President's Secretariat): she requested the group to encourage the literature of other underprivileged classes, called subaltern literature.
Which body instituted the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, conferred on 82 young artists on 22 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Sangeet Natak Akademi
PIB (Culture): the Sangeet Natak Akademi instituted the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar in 2006.
What is the upper age limit for artists eligible for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar?
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Correct answer: A — 40 years
PIB (Culture): the award was instituted for young performing art practitioners up to the age of 40 years.
How many young artists were conferred the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 on 22 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 82
PIB (Culture): 82 young artists were conferred the award for the years 2022 and 2023 at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
Which is the highest national award of Guyana, conferred on PM Narendra Modi on 20 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — The Order of Excellence
PIB (PMO): President Irfaan Ali conferred 'The Order of Excellence', Guyana's highest national award, on PM Modi at the State House.
Who conferred the 'Dominica Award of Honour' on PM Modi in Georgetown on 20 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — President Sylvanie Burton
PIB (PMO): Dominica's President Sylvanie Burton conferred the award for Modi's statesmanship and Covid-19 support to Dominica.
Consider the following statements: 1. PM Modi is only the fourth foreign leader to receive Guyana's highest national award. 2. The 'Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados' for PM Modi was announced by Barbados PM Mia Amor Mottley on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (PMO) and PMIndia: Modi is only the fourth foreign leader to receive the Order of Excellence; PM Mottley announced the Barbados award during their meeting on 20 November 2024 on the summit sidelines.
For which CSR project did Coal India Ltd receive the Green World Environment Award 2024 in London on 18 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna
PIB (Coal): the award was given for CIL's Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, which funds curative bone marrow transplants.
Which organisation gives the Green World Awards, one of which Coal India received in November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — The Green Organisation
PIB (Coal): the award was given by The Green Organisation, which began in 1994.
Which national award did Nigeria confer on PM Narendra Modi on 17 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Grand Commander of the Order of Niger
PIB (PMO): President Tinubu conferred the 'Grand Commander of the Order of Niger' on PM Modi in Abuja.
PM Modi became the first foreign leader since which year to be conferred Nigeria's 'Grand Commander of the Order of Niger'?
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Correct answer: C — 1969
PIB (PMO): PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be conferred this award since 1969.
Which edition of the National Water Awards did the Ministry of Jal Shakti launch on 24 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 6th
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: the Department of Water Resources, RD & GR has launched the 6th National Water Awards (NWA), 2024 on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal.
What is the last date for applications for the 6th National Water Awards, 2024 (launched 24 October 2024)?
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Correct answer: B — 31 December 2024
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: the last date of submission of applications is 31st December, 2024.
Which State won the first prize in the best State category of the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, conferred on 22 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Odisha
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: Odisha won the first prize in the best State category; Uttar Pradesh was second; Gujarat and Puducherry were jointly third.
In the best State category of the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, which two jointly took the third position?
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Correct answer: C — Gujarat and Puducherry
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: Gujarat and Puducherry won the third position jointly in the best State category.
How many winners, including joint winners, were awarded at the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, and across how many categories?
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Correct answer: B — 38 winners, 9 categories
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: 38 winners, including joint winners, across 09 categories were awarded.
Who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2024, announced on 11 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Nihon Hidankyo
Norwegian Nobel Committee (Oslo, 11 Oct 2024): the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 is awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo.
The term 'Hibakusha', associated with the Nobel Peace Prize 2024 laureate, refers to whom?
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Correct answer: C — Survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Nobel press release (11 Oct 2024): Nihon Hidankyo is a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, also known as Hibakusha.
In which year was Nihon Hidankyo, the Nobel Peace Prize 2024 laureate, formed?
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Correct answer: D — 1956
Nobel press release (11 Oct 2024): in 1956, local Hibakusha associations and victims of Pacific nuclear tests formed the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations, shortened to Nihon Hidankyo.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Peace Prize 2024: 1. It was announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. 2. The Committee described the international norm against using nuclear weapons as 'the nuclear taboo'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The press release is dated Oslo, 11 October 2024, from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and says the norm stigmatising nuclear weapon use has become known as 'the nuclear taboo'.
Who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature 2024, announced on 10 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Han Kang
Nobel press release (10 Oct 2024): the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2024 is awarded to the South Korean author Han Kang.
Which of the following is a work by Han Kang, the Nobel Prize in Literature 2024 laureate?
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Correct answer: A — The Vegetarian
NobelPrize.org facts: among Han Kang's works are The Vegetarian, Human Acts and We Do Not Part.
Consider the following statements about Han Kang, the Nobel Prize in Literature 2024 laureate: 1. She writes in Korean. 2. She began her career in 1993 as a poet. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. NobelPrize.org facts: language Korean; Han Kang began her career in 1993 as a poet, but has since written mainly novels and short stories.
David Baker received half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 for what?
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Correct answer: A — Computational protein design
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): one half to David Baker 'for computational protein design'.
Which AI model, presented in 2020 by Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, was recognised by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024?
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Correct answer: D — AlphaFold2
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): in 2020, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper presented an AI model called AlphaFold2.
Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, Nobel Chemistry 2024 laureates, are affiliated with which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — Google DeepMind
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): Demis Hassabis and John Jumper are listed with Google DeepMind, London, UK.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024: 1. It was awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 2. AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences decided to award the prize, and AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries.
Who received the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award at the 70th National Film Awards on 8 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Mithun Chakraborty
PIB (8 Oct 2024): the President conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022 on Shri Mithun Chakraborty.
Mithun Chakraborty's Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award, presented on 8 October 2024, was for which year?
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Correct answer: A — 2022
PIB (8 Oct 2024): the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022 was conferred on Mithun Chakraborty.
Which edition of the National Film Awards did President Droupadi Murmu present on 8 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 70th
PIB (8 Oct 2024): the President presented the 70th National Film Awards in New Delhi.
Who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024?
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Correct answer: B — John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 is awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton.
Geoffrey Hinton used the Hopfield network as the foundation for which new network, as cited by the Nobel Committee?
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Correct answer: D — Boltzmann machine
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): Geoffrey Hinton used the Hopfield network as the foundation for a new network: the Boltzmann machine.
With which university was Geoffrey Hinton affiliated in the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 announcement?
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Correct answer: C — University of Toronto
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): Geoffrey Hinton, University of Toronto, Canada; John J. Hopfield, Princeton University, USA.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024: 1. The Hopfield network utilises physics that describes a material's characteristics due to atomic spin. 2. The prize of 11 million Swedish kronor is to be shared equally between the laureates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): the Hopfield network uses physics describing atomic spin, and the prize amount of 11 million Swedish kronor is to be shared equally.
Who were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine?
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Correct answer: B — Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of:
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Correct answer: D — microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the prize was awarded 'for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation'.
On which model organism did Ambros and Ruvkun make the discovery honoured by the 2024 Medicine Nobel?
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Correct answer: C — C. elegans (roundworm)
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): they studied the 1 mm long roundworm C. elegans, including the lin-4 and lin-14 mutant strains.
Consider the following about the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: 1. Ambros and Ruvkun published their microRNA findings in 1993 in the journal Cell. 2. In 2000, Ruvkun's group discovered another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the results were published in 1993 in two articles in the journal Cell; in 2000 Ruvkun's research group published the discovery of another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene.