Economy Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The stocktake visit that concluded in New Delhi on 6 December 2024 related to India's Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with which country?
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Correct answer: D — Australia
PIB (9 Dec 2024): the 3-day stocktake visit for the India-Australia CECA concluded in New Delhi on 6th December 2024; the meeting was held from December 4th to 6th.
Where was the 10th round of India-Australia CECA negotiations held in August 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Sydney
PIB (9 Dec 2024): the stocktake visit followed the 10th round of negotiations held in Sydney from August 19th to 22nd, 2024.
How many coal blocks were put on offer in the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions launched on 5 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 27
PIB (5 Dec 2024): G. Kishan Reddy launched the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions with a total of 27 coal blocks on offer.
Consider the following statements about the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions launched on 5 December 2024: 1. The blocks are spread across six states, including Arunachal Pradesh. 2. The blocks on offer include one coking coal mine. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the 27 blocks are spread across Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh and include 1 coking coal mine. Both statements are correct. Answer: Both 1 and 2.
At the launch of the 11th coal auction round on 5 December 2024, the Coal Minister cited what target for coal gasification by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 100 million tonnes
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the Rs 8,500 crore Financial Incentive Scheme for coal and lignite gasification is a step toward India's target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030.
What was the amount of the ADB loan signed on 5 December 2024 for the climate-adaptive water-harvesting project in Meghalaya?
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Correct answer: D — $50 million
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed a $50 million loan for the climate-adaptive water-harvesting project in Meghalaya.
How many small water-storage facilities will the ADB-funded Meghalaya water-harvesting project build?
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Correct answer: A — 532
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the project will support construction of 532 small water-storage facilities across 12 districts in Meghalaya.
Consider the following statements about the Meghalaya water-harvesting project for which a loan was signed with ADB on 5 December 2024: 1. It will establish 50 weather stations for climate data gathering and monitoring. 2. It aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the project will establish 50 weather stations for climate data gathering and monitoring, and it aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019. Both statements are correct. Answer: Both 1 and 2.
Who released NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly' in New Delhi on 4 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Suman Bery
PIB (4 Dec 2024): NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery released the publication on 4 December 2024 in New Delhi, in the presence of members Dr V K Saraswat and Dr Arvind Virmani and CEO B V R Subrahmanyam.
According to NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly' released on 4 December 2024, India's total trade in the April to June quarter stood at:
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Correct answer: D — $576 billion
PIB (4 Dec 2024): total trade stood at $576 billion in the quarter, registering a 5.45% year-on-year increase.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which marked its 67th Foundation Day on 4 December 2024, is the apex anti-smuggling agency of:
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Correct answer: A — Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
PIB (4 Dec 2024): the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is the apex anti-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC).
Which report was released at the DRI's 67th Foundation Day in New Delhi on 4 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Smuggling in India Report 2023-24
PIB (4 Dec 2024): the Smuggling in India Report 2023-24 and the DRI Bulletin for April–September 2024 were released at the 67th Foundation Day.
On 3 December 2024, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar spoke in Mumbai at the Centenary Foundation Day of which ICAR institute?
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Correct answer: C — Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT)
PIB and The Hindu (3 Dec 2024): the Vice-President spoke at the Centenary Foundation Day of the ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT) in Mumbai.
Which industry body organised the Partnership Summit 2024 whose inaugural session Piyush Goyal addressed in New Delhi on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
PIB (2 Dec 2024): Shri Piyush Goyal addressed the inaugural session of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2024 in New Delhi.
Which of the following was NOT among the partner countries at the CII Partnership Summit 2024 held on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Japan
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the partner countries were Italy, Israel, Bhutan, Bahrain, Algeria, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Myanmar, Qatar and Cambodia; Japan was not listed.
What was India's overall coal production in November 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Coal on 1 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 90.62 million tonnes
PIB (1 Dec 2024): overall coal production in November 2024 reached 90.62 million tonnes (provisional), compared with 84.52 MT in November 2023.
By what percentage did India's overall coal production in November 2024 grow over November 2023?
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Correct answer: B — 7.20%
PIB (1 Dec 2024): production of 90.62 MT against 84.52 MT in the same month last year marks a 7.20% growth.
Coal production from captive and other entities in November 2024 reached how much, according to the Ministry of Coal?
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Correct answer: C — 17.13 million tonnes
PIB (1 Dec 2024): coal production from captive and other entities reached 17.13 million tonnes (provisional) in November 2024, up from 12.44 million tonnes in November 2023, a growth of 37.69%.
Consider the following statements about the 236th CBT meeting of EPFO (30 November 2024): 1. It amended paragraph 60(2)(b) of the EPF Scheme, 1952 so that interest is paid up to the date of settlement. 2. It was informed that the limit for auto claim settlement had been raised to ₹2 lakh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Labour): the CBT amended para 60(2)(b) so that interest is paid up to the date of settlement (1 is correct). The auto claim settlement limit was extended to ₹1 lakh from ₹50,000, not ₹2 lakh (2 is wrong).
As ratified by EPFO's CBT on 30 November 2024, what are the minimum and maximum benefits under the extended EDLI scheme?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.5 lakh and ₹7 lakh
PIB (Labour): the ratified EDLI extension provides a minimum benefit of Rs. 2.5 lakh and a maximum of up to Rs. 7 lakh.
The first pilot of EPFO's Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS), completed in October 2024, was carried out in which places?
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Correct answer: B — Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar
PIB (Labour): the first CPPS pilot was completed in October 2024 in Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar; a second pilot covered 20 more Regional Offices in November.
At the Credit Outreach Programme in Madhubani, Bihar, on 30 November 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distributed copies of the Constitution in which two languages?
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Correct answer: B — Maithili and Sanskrit
PIB (Finance): she distributed five copies of the Constitution each in Maithili and Sanskrit to distinguished citizens.
Consider the following statements about the Madhubani Credit Outreach Programme (30 November 2024): 1. Loans worth ₹1,121 crore were distributed to 50,294 beneficiaries. 2. SIDBI announced approval of more than ₹155.84 crore for rural road projects. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Finance): loans of ₹1,121 crore went to 50,294 beneficiaries (1 is correct). The ₹155.84 crore approval was by NABARD; SIDBI approved ₹75.52 lakh (2 is wrong).
By CBDT Circular No. 18/2024 of 30 November 2024, the due date for filing ITRs for AY 2024-25 by assessees required to furnish a Section 92E report was extended to which date?
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Correct answer: D — 15 December 2024
PIB (Finance): the due date, originally 30 November 2024, was extended to 15 December 2024 by CBDT Circular No. 18/2024 dated 30.11.2024.
The ITR due-date extension announced by CBDT on 30 November 2024 applies to assessees required to furnish a report referred to in which section of the Income-tax Act, 1961?
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Correct answer: B — Section 92E
PIB (Finance): the extension applies to assessees required to furnish a report referred to in section 92E.
According to NSO estimates released on 29 November 2024, India's real GDP grew by how much in Q2 (July–September) of 2024-25?
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Correct answer: B — 5.4%
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP grew 5.4% in Q2 of 2024-25, against 8.1% in Q2 of 2023-24. 6.0% was the H1 growth.
Consider the following statements about the Q2 2024-25 GDP estimates: 1. Manufacturing grew by 2.2% in Q2 of 2024-25. 2. Agriculture and allied sector grew by 3.5%, after growth of 0.4% to 2.0% in the previous four quarters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoSPI): manufacturing grew 2.2%, and agriculture bounced back to 3.5% after sub-optimal growth of 0.4% to 2.0% in the previous four quarters. Both are correct.
What was the growth rate of nominal GDP (GDP at current prices) in Q2 of 2024-25, as estimated on 29 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 8.0%
PIB (MoSPI): nominal GDP in Q2 of 2024-25 was ₹76.60 lakh crore against ₹70.90 lakh crore, a growth of 8.0%. 8.9% was H1 nominal growth.
Which company was declared the preferred bidder for the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block in Tamil Nadu on 7 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Hindustan Zinc Ltd
PIB (Mines): the block was successfully auctioned with Hindustan Zinc Ltd declared as the preferred bidder on 07.11.2024.
Consider the following statements: 1. Section 11D, inserted in the MMDR Act, 1957 by the 2023 Amendment, empowers the Central Government to exclusively auction mining leases and composite licences for specified critical and strategic minerals. 2. The Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block was auctioned as a mining lease block that requires no further exploration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Mines): Section 11D empowers the Centre to exclusively auction such leases and licences (1 is correct). The block was auctioned as a composite licence block that is only partially explored, so the bidder must explore first (2 is wrong).
What was the size of the loan signed by India and the Asian Development Bank on 29 November 2024 for 'Building India's Clean Plant Programme'?
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Correct answer: A — $98 million
PIB (Finance): the Government of India and ADB signed a $98 million loan for the Building India's Clean Plant Programme.
Through which bodies will the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implement the ADB-supported Clean Plant Programme project?
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Correct answer: B — National Horticulture Board and ICAR
PIB (Finance): the project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries grow in October 2024 (provisional), as released on 29 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 3.1%
PIB (Commerce): the ICI increased by 3.1% (provisional) in October 2024 over October 2023. 4.1% is the April–October cumulative growth and 6.3% the final July 2024 figure.
Which of the eight core industries carries the highest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: D — Petroleum Refinery Products
PIB (Commerce): weights are Refinery Products 28.04%, Electricity 19.85%, Steel 17.92% and Coal 10.33%.
How many mineral blocks were offered in the first-ever tranche of offshore mineral block auctions launched on 28 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 13
PIB (Mines): the first tranche includes 13 mineral blocks spanning the Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.
The blocks in the first tranche of offshore mineral auctions (November 2024) are located in which seas?
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Correct answer: B — Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea
PIB (Mines): the 13 blocks span the Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.
Consider the following statements about the first offshore mineral auction tranche: 1. The blocks feature construction sand, lime-mud and polymetallic nodules and crusts. 2. The Geological Survey of India has identified about six lakh sq km of offshore area with potential for offshore mining. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Mines): the tranche features construction sand, lime-mud and polymetallic nodules and crusts, and the Mines Secretary said GSI has identified about six lakh sq km of offshore area with mining potential. Both are correct.
How much wheat did the Centre decide on 28 November 2024 that FCI would offload under OMSS (Domestic) 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 25 LMT
PIB (Food & PD): FCI is to offload 25 LMT of wheat in the open market under OMSS (D) 2024 through e-auction.
Under the OMSS (Domestic) 2024 policy, what is the reserve price fixed for wheat of Fair Average Quality (FAQ)?
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,325 per quintal
PIB (Food & PD): the reserve price is ₹2,325/quintal for wheat (FAQ) and ₹2,300/quintal for wheat (URS), up to 31 March 2025.
The MoU signed between NHPC and the Global Green Growth Institute on 28 November 2024 focuses on which areas?
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Correct answer: D — Agrivoltaics, green hydrogen and sustainable financing
PIB (Power): the collaboration aims to promote clean energy solutions focusing on agrivoltaics, green hydrogen and sustainable financing strategies.
What is the PSU status of NHPC Limited, as stated in the November 2024 release on its MoU with GGGI?
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Correct answer: C — Navratna
PIB (Power): NHPC Limited is India's premier hydropower company and a Navratna Enterprise of the Government of India.
The 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart, inaugurated on 27 November 2024, was held at which place?
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Correct answer: D — Kaziranga, Assam
PIB (Tourism): the 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga, Assam, was inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The 'Moidams of Charaideo', celebrated at the 12th International Tourism Mart, were declared India's which UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 43rd
PIB (Tourism): in July 2024, the 'Moidams of Charaideo' were declared the 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site from India.
How many coal mines were successfully auctioned in the 10th round of commercial coal mine auctions, as announced on 27 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 9
PIB (Coal): a total of nine coal mines were successfully auctioned — three fully explored and six partially explored.
Since commercial coal mining began in 2020, how many coal mines had been successfully auctioned as of November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 113
PIB (Coal): since the inception of commercial coal mining in 2020, 113 coal mines have been auctioned with a capacity of 257.60 MTPA.
Which State/UT won the gold medal in the States and Union Territories category at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (2024)?
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Correct answer: B — Puducherry
PIB (Commerce/ITPO): Puducherry won gold, Meghalaya silver and Karnataka bronze in the States/UTs category; Madhya Pradesh won gold in thematic presentation.
The India International Trade Fair that concluded on 27 November 2024 was which edition?
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Correct answer: A — 43rd
PIB (Commerce/ITPO): the curtains fell on the 43rd edition of the India International Trade Fair on 27 November 2024.
The two additional critical mineral blocks auctioned to complete Tranche IV (announced 27 November 2024) are located in which states?
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Correct answer: B — Jharkhand and Maharashtra
PIB (Mines): the two blocks are located in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, with graphite and Ni, Cr, Co and associated minerals.
With the completion of Tranche IV in November 2024, how many tranches of critical and strategic mineral block e-auctions had the Central Government completed?
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Correct answer: C — Four
PIB (Mines): the Centre has completed four tranches, with NITs dated 29 November 2023, 29 February 2024, 14 March 2024 and 24 June 2024.
According to Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024, released on 26 November 2024, what was India's milk production in 2023-24?
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Correct answer: D — 239.30 million tonnes
PIB (DAHD): milk production in 2023-24 was 239.30 million tonnes, up 3.78% over 2022-23; it was 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15.
As per BAHS 2024, which State had the largest share of India's milk production in 2023-24?
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Correct answer: A — Uttar Pradesh
PIB (DAHD): Uttar Pradesh led with 16.21%, followed by Rajasthan (14.51%), Madhya Pradesh (8.91%), Gujarat (7.65%) and Maharashtra (6.71%).
Consider the following statements based on BAHS 2024: 1. Andhra Pradesh had the largest share of India's egg production in 2023-24. 2. Rajasthan had the largest share of India's wool production in 2023-24. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (DAHD): Andhra Pradesh led egg production with 17.85% and Rajasthan led wool production with 47.53%. Both are correct.
At NAFSCOB's Diamond Jubilee on 26 November 2024, Amit Shah said the federation was established in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1964
PIB (Cooperation): NAFSCOB was established in 1964 by Dr Dhananjayrao Ramchandra Gadgil and Maganbhai Patel; 2024 marks its Diamond Jubilee.
According to Amit Shah at the NAFSCOB Diamond Jubilee (26 November 2024), the government aims to open district cooperative banks in what share of districts in the next five years?
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Correct answer: B — 80%
PIB (Cooperation): the government aims to open district cooperative banks in 80 per cent of districts in the next five years.
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty, whose Final Act India signed (announced 26 November 2024), was adopted by member states of which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — World Intellectual Property Organization
PIB (Commerce): the Design Law Treaty was adopted by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) after nearly two decades of negotiations.
While announcing India's signing of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty Final Act, the Commerce Ministry said design registrations in India over the past decade had:
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Correct answer: A — Tripled
PIB (Commerce): design registrations in India have tripled over the past decade, with domestic filings up 120% in the last two years.
On 26 November 2024, the Ministry of Coal invited public comments, by 27 December 2024, on which draft Bill?
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Correct answer: C — Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
PIB (Coal): the ministry sought comments on the draft Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, with a deadline of 27 December 2024.
DPIIT's two-year MoU with WinZO, announced on 26 November 2024, aims to support which sector?
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Correct answer: B — Interactive entertainment and gaming
PIB (DPIIT): the MoU with WinZO, India's largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform, aims to support over 2,000 interactive entertainment startups, innovators and students.
What is the theme of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025, launched by PM Modi on 25 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Cooperatives Build a Better World
PIB (PMO): the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 has the theme 'Cooperatives Build a Better World'; 'Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All' is the conference theme.
Why was the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in New Delhi notable?
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Correct answer: C — It was the first time in the ICA's 130-year history that the conference was held in India
PIB (PMO): the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly were held in India for the first time in the 130-year history of the International Cooperative Alliance, hosted by IFFCO.
What is the financial outlay of the PAN 2.0 Project approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 25 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,435 crore
PIB (Cabinet): the financial implications of the PAN 2.0 Project are ₹1,435 crore.
Which body approved the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department on 25 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
PIB (Cabinet): the CCEA, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department.
Consider the following statements about the PAN 2.0 Project approved in November 2024: 1. It was approved with an outlay of ₹6,000 crore for 2025–2027. 2. It enables the use of PAN as a common identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (Cabinet): PAN 2.0 costs ₹1,435 crore (the ₹6,000-crore, 2025–27 figure belongs to One Nation One Subscription). It does enable PAN as a common identifier for specified government agencies. Only 2 is correct.
At its 19th meeting on 25 November 2024, how many Standards on Auditing did the NFRA decide to recommend under the LLP (Amendment) Act, 2021?
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Correct answer: C — 40
PIB (MCA): NFRA decided to recommend 40 Standards on Auditing and related Standards on Quality Management under Section 34A of the LLP (Amendment) Act, 2021.
From which date has the NFRA recommended that the new auditing standards under the LLP (Amendment) Act take effect, subject to government approval?
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Correct answer: D — 1 April 2026
PIB (MCA): upon the Central Government's approval, the standards are recommended to be effective from 1 April 2026.