Government Schemes Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
India's first Organic Fisheries Cluster, launched on 6 January 2025, is located in which district of Sikkim?
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Correct answer: B — Soreng
PIB (Fisheries): the Organic Fisheries Cluster, first of its kind in India, is in Soreng district of Sikkim.
Under which scheme was India's first Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim launched?
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Correct answer: C — Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
PIB (Fisheries): the cluster was notified and launched under the PMMSY at the NER State Meet-2025 in Guwahati.
Consider the following statements about the fisheries initiatives announced in Guwahati on 6 January 2025: 1. NABARD is to provide financial and technical assistance to the organic fisheries cluster. 2. The 50 PMMSY projects worth ₹50 crore cover all Northeastern States except Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. 3. The organic fisheries cluster permits limited use of antibiotics. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Fisheries): statements 1 and 2 are in the release; organic fisheries avoid antibiotics, chemicals and pesticides.
Within what originally allocated outlay will PLI Scheme 1.1 for specialty steel, launched on 6 January 2025, operate?
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Correct answer: C — ₹6,322 crore
PIB (Steel): the scheme will operate within the funds originally allocated, i.e. ₹6,322 crore.
Over which production period will PLI Scheme 1.1 for specialty steel be implemented?
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Correct answer: D — FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30
PIB (Steel): the Steel Secretary said PLI 1.1 will be implemented during the production period FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30.
Which of the following are among the five product categories covered by PLI Scheme 1.1 for specialty steel? 1. Specialty Rails 2. Electrical Steel 3. Stainless Steel Utensils Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Steel): the five categories are coated/plated steel, high strength/wear resistant steel, specialty rails, alloy steel products & steel wires, and electrical steel; utensils are not included.
What one-time incentive does Odisha's Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, launched on 5 January 2025, give to eligible ST students?
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Correct answer: D — ₹5,000
New Indian Express and Kalinga TV: the scheme gives a one-time incentive of ₹5,000 to ST students enrolling in Class IX and Class XI.
At which event did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launch the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme?
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Correct answer: A — Adivasi Mela 2025 in Bhubaneswar
Kalinga TV and OdishaBytes: the CM launched the scheme while inaugurating the Adivasi Mela at the Exhibition Ground, Bhubaneswar.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme: 1. It targets Scheduled Tribe students enrolling in Class IX and Class XI. 2. Its main aim is to reduce dropout among ST students. 3. It provides a monthly stipend for the full secondary-school period. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
New Indian Express and Kalinga TV: the scheme targets ST students at the Class IX and XI transitions to reduce dropouts and gives a one-time incentive, not a monthly stipend.
The Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS), fully rolled out by EPFO, operates under which scheme?
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Correct answer: A — Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995
PIB (Labour): EPFO completed the full-scale rollout of CPPS under the Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 in December 2024.
In which regional offices was the first pilot of EPFO's CPPS conducted in October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar
PIB (Labour): the first pilot was completed in October 2024 in Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar Regional Offices, disbursing about ₹11 crore to more than 49,000 pensioners.
Consider the following statements about EPFO's CPPS: 1. About ₹1,570 crore of pension for December 2024 was paid through it to more than 68 lakh pensioners. 2. It covers all 122 pension-disbursing Regional Offices of EPFO. 3. Under it, a pensioner can draw pension from any bank and any branch. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Labour): all three are stated — about ₹1,570 crore to more than 68 lakh pensioners of all 122 pension-disbursing ROs, and pension from any bank, any branch, anywhere.
What corpus did the Union Cabinet approve on 1 January 2025 for the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) under the crop insurance schemes?
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Correct answer: D — ₹824.77 crore
PIB (Cabinet): the Cabinet approved creation of the Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with a corpus of ₹824.77 crore.
Under YES-TECH in PMFBY, what minimum weightage is given to technology-based yield estimates?
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Correct answer: A — 30%
PIB (Cabinet): YES-TECH uses remote sensing technology for yield estimation with minimum 30% weightage to technology-based yield estimates.
Consider the following statements about the crop insurance decisions of 1 January 2025: 1. WINDS envisages Automatic Weather Stations at block level and Automatic Rain Gauges at panchayat level. 2. 2024-25 was approved as the first year of WINDS implementation, with central fund sharing of 90:10. 3. Madhya Pradesh has adopted 100% technology-based yield estimation. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Cabinet): all three are stated — AWS at block and ARGs at panchayat level; 2024-25 approved as WINDS' first year with 90:10 central sharing; MP has adopted 100% technology-based yield estimation.
At what rate per tonne did the Union Cabinet on 1 January 2025 extend the one-time special package on DAP beyond the NBS subsidy?
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Correct answer: A — ₹3,500 per tonne
PIB (Cabinet): the Cabinet approved extension of the one-time special package on DAP beyond the NBS subsidy @ ₹3,500 per MT from 01.01.2025 till further orders.
What is the approximate financial implication of the DAP special package extension approved on 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Up to ₹3,850 crore
PIB (Cabinet): the tentative budgetary requirement is approximately up to ₹3,850 crore; ₹2,625 crore was the earlier package and ₹6,475 crore is the total since April 2024.
Consider the following statements about fertiliser subsidy as stated in the Cabinet release of 1 January 2025: 1. Subsidy on P&K fertilisers has been governed by the NBS scheme since 1 April 2010. 2. The first one-time special package on DAP covered 1 April to 31 December 2024. 3. The new extension of the special package is limited to the Rabi 2024-25 season only. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Cabinet): NBS has governed P&K subsidy w.e.f. 01.04.2010 and the July 2024 package covered 01.04.2024 to 31.12.2024; the extension runs from 01.01.2025 till further orders, so statement 3 is wrong.
On which two estates did the Kerala Cabinet approve model townships for Wayanad landslide survivors on 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Elstone and Nedumpala estates
The Hindu; Hindustan Times: the townships will come up on 58.50 hectares of Elstone Estate and 48.96 hectares of Nedumpala Estate.
What size of house will each family get in the Wayanad rehabilitation townships approved on 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1,000 sq ft, single-storey
The Hindu; Hindustan Times: the homes will be 1,000 sq ft and single-storeyed.
Consider the following statements about the Wayanad rehabilitation plan approved on 1 January 2025: 1. Families at Elstone Estate will get five-cent plots and those at Nedumpala Estate 10-cent plots. 2. Elstone Estate falls under the Kalpetta municipality. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2
The Hindu; Hindustan Times: five-cent plots at Elstone (Kalpetta municipality) and 10-cent plots at Nedumpala (Meppadi panchayat).
How many projects did Odisha's 133rd SLSWCA meeting approve on 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 25
Odisha TV; Kalinga TV: the 133rd SLSWCA meeting approved 25 projects worth ₹4,222.24 crore across 16 sectors and 11 districts.
How many jobs are the projects approved by Odisha's SLSWCA on 1 January 2025 expected to generate?
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Correct answer: C — 14,497
Odisha TV; Kalinga TV: the projects are expected to generate more than 14,497 job opportunities.
The 45 MLD sewage treatment plant approved at the 59th Executive Committee meeting of NMCG for about ₹263 crore is located in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
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Correct answer: D — Chandauli
PIB (Jal Shakti): the ₹263 crore 45 MLD STP on the Hybrid Annuity Model is for Chandauli; Manikpur in Pratapgarh got a 15 KLD faecal sludge plant.
Which town in Bihar got a ₹257 crore sewerage project, including a 50 MLD STP and a 1 MLD nature-based STP, at NMCG's 59th Executive Committee meeting?
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Correct answer: B — Buxar
PIB (Jal Shakti): the ₹257 crore project with a 50 MLD STP, a 1 MLD nature-based STP, three interception pumping stations and 8.68 km of sewers is for Buxar.
Consider the following statements about the projects approved at NMCG's 59th Executive Committee meeting: 1. The meeting was chaired by NMCG Director General Rajeev Kumar Mital. 2. The Chandauli STP will be built on the Hybrid Annuity Model with 15 years of operation and maintenance. 3. Uttarpara-Kotrung in West Bengal got a 50 MLD sewage treatment plant. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Jal Shakti): DG Rajeev Kumar Mital chaired the meeting and the Chandauli STP is on HAM with 15-year O&M; Uttarpara-Kotrung got a 22 KLD faecal sludge plant, not a 50 MLD STP (that is Buxar).
How much did Odisha get under PM-USHA, as announced by the state's Higher Education Minister on 31 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹676.70 crore
OrissaPOST (PTI)/OdishaBytes: Odisha got ₹676.70 crore under PM-USHA, of which the Centre bears ₹408.70 crore and the State ₹268 crore.
Which of the following universities is NOT among the four Odisha universities to get ₹100 crore each under the MERU component of PM-USHA (December 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Utkal University
OrissaPOST/OdishaBytes: the four MERU universities are Berhampur, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo, Ravenshaw and Sambalpur; Utkal University is not among them.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's PM-USHA sanction announced on 31 December 2024: 1. The Centre and the State share the cost in a 60:40 ratio. 2. The funds follow decisions of the 3rd Project Approval Board meeting of the Union Ministry of Education. 3. Five districts get ₹10 crore each under the gender inclusion component. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
OrissaPOST/OdishaBytes/Odisha Samachar: funding is 60:40 (₹408.70 crore and ₹268 crore), based on the 3rd PAB meeting, and Bhadrak, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur and Sambalpur get ₹10 crore each. All three are correct.
In December 2024, Haryana raised the ex gratia for the families of battle casualties of armed forces and CAPF personnel from ₹50 lakh to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹1 crore
AIR/Hindustan Times: the ex gratia was increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.
Haryana raised the monthly pension of 'Matribhasha Satyagrahis' to ₹20,000 in December 2024. These satyagrahis took part in the Hindi Aandolan of which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1957
AIR/Hindustan Times: the pension of Matribhasha Satyagrahis of the Hindi Aandolan-1957 was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000.
Consider the following statements about the Haryana cabinet decisions of 28 December 2024: 1. The maximum limit of death-cum-retirement gratuity for State employees was raised from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh. 2. Aadhaar authentication was approved for candidates applying through the Haryana Public Service Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
AIR/Hindustan Times: the gratuity ceiling rose by 25% from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh, and Aadhaar authentication was approved for HPSC candidates; both statements are correct.
The DAYALU-I scheme, under which ₹144.73 crore was transferred to 3,882 beneficiaries on 27 December 2024, belongs to which State?
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Correct answer: C — Haryana
Babushahi and Naveen Times (Haryana government release): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini transferred ₹144.73 crore to 3,882 beneficiaries under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU-I).
How much did the Haryana Chief Minister transfer to 3,882 beneficiaries under the DAYALU-I scheme on 27 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹144.73 crore
Babushahi and Naveen Times: ₹144.73 crore was transferred to 3,882 beneficiaries; ₹763.69 crore is the amount disbursed earlier to 20,399 families.
Haryana's DAYALU-I scheme supports families below what annual income limit, as verified in the Family Information Data Repository?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1.80 lakh
Babushahi and Naveen Times: DAYALU-I provides assistance to families with an annual income of less than ₹1.80 lakh, as verified through the Family Information Data Repository (FIDR).
Which edition of Veer Baal Diwas was observed at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 3rd
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister addressed the gathering on the occasion of the 3rd Veer Baal Diwas at Bharat Mandapam on 26 December 2024.
Which campaign did the Prime Minister launch at the Veer Baal Diwas programme on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister launched the 'Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan' at the Veer Baal Diwas programme at Bharat Mandapam.
In his Veer Baal Diwas 2024 address, the Prime Minister said the Sahibzadas chose to embrace the death sentence ordered by whom?
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Correct answer: D — Wazir Khan
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister said the Sahibzadas rejected the temptations of the Mughal Sultanate and chose to embrace the death sentence ordered by Wazir Khan.
How many new Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launch on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 1,542
OdishaBytes and The New Indian Express: CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched 1,542 new MPACS; 2,711 was the earlier PACS count and 4,253 the new total.
With the launch of new MPACS in December 2024, how many PACS does Odisha now have in total?
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Correct answer: A — 4,253
OdishaBytes and The New Indian Express: the State had 2,711 PACS, and with the 1,542 new MPACS the total reached 4,253.
How many PACS will Odisha develop as model societies in the first phase, as announced on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 77
OdishaBytes and The New Indian Express: the CM announced that 77 PACS will be developed as model societies in the first phase; 54 is the number of activities taken up.
Rajasthan announced on Good Governance Day 2024 that an Atal Gyan Kendra will be set up in every:
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Correct answer: A — Gram panchayat
Times of India and Devdiscourse (PTI): CM Bhajanlal Sharma announced that the State will open an Atal Gyan Kendra in every gram panchayat and appoint Atal Preraks.
About how much will the Rajasthan government spend on developing Atal Gyan Kendras, as announced on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹500 crore
Times of India and Devdiscourse (PTI): the Atal Gyan Kendras will require about ₹500 crore; ₹23,000 crore relates to a separate crop loan scheme.
What did Rajasthan decide to rename the computer rooms of government schools on Good Governance Day 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Atal Computer Rooms
Times of India and Devdiscourse (PTI): the computer rooms of government schools will be named Atal Computer Rooms, and the e-governance award renamed the Atal e-governance award.
How many newly established M-PACS did Amit Shah inaugurate in New Delhi on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 10,000
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): Amit Shah inaugurated 10,000 newly established M-PACS, along with dairy and fisheries cooperative societies; 2 lakh is the five-year target for new PACS.
Within how many days of the SOP issued on 19 September 2024 was the registration of 10,000 PACS completed?
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Correct answer: D — 86 days
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): an SOP was established on 19 September 2024, and within 86 days the registration of 10,000 PACS was completed.
Which three new national-level cooperatives will PACS join to work on organic products, seed production and exports, as stated on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — NCOL, BBSSL and NCEL
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): the three new national-level cooperatives NCOL, BBSSL and NCEL will open opportunities for farmers in organic products, seeds and exports; NDDB, NFDB and NABARD helped register the PACS.
Under which scheme did Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurate solar projects at Umbartha and Narangwadi on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0
The Hindu/TOI/IANS: the projects were inaugurated under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0, the Chief Minister's solar agriculture feeder scheme.
Umbartha village, where a solar project was inaugurated under Maharashtra's solar agriculture feeder scheme on 24 December 2024, is in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Washim
The Hindu/TOI/IANS: the projects were at Umbartha in Washim district and Narangwadi in Dharashiv district.
According to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on 24 December 2024, how much electricity does the State currently supply to farmers?
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Correct answer: B — 16,000 MW
The Hindu/TOI: Fadnavis said the State currently supplies 16,000 MW of electricity to farmers and these feeders are to be shifted to solar energy in phases.
The Assam International Skill Centre approved by the Assam cabinet on 23 December 2024 will have its hub in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
NewsLive and India Today NE: the AISC will operate in a hub-and-spoke model with its hub in Guwahati and centres spread across the state.
The Assam cabinet decided on 23 December 2024 that 2025 would be observed as a special year to promote which habit?
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Correct answer: B — Book reading
NewsLive and The Sentinel: the cabinet decided to observe 2025 as a year of reading ('Year of Reading' / 'Book Year') to promote book reading, with a book fair at Khanapara.
What monthly remuneration did the Assam cabinet approve in December 2024 for Gaon Pradhans of forest villages and FRA villages, effective 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹9,000
NewsLive and India Today NE: a remuneration of ₹9,000 per month was approved from 1 January 2025 for 278 Gaon Pradhans in forest villages and 668 in FRA villages in non-Sixth Schedule areas.
Karnataka's first semiconductor project, announced at the State High-Level Clearance Committee meeting of 23 December 2024, will be set up near which city?
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Correct answer: B — Mysuru
The New Indian Express and NewsDrum (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the first semiconductor project in the state would be established at the Kochanahalli Electronics Manufacturing Cluster near Mysuru.
What was the total investment of the nine projects approved by Karnataka's 64th SHLCC on 23 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹9,823.31 crore
The New Indian Express and NewsDrum (PTI): the 64th SHLCC approved nine projects with a total investment of ₹9,823.31 crore, expected to create about 5,605 jobs.
Consider the following pairs of companies and project locations approved by Karnataka's SHLCC on 23 December 2024: 1. Silectric Semiconductor Manufacturing – Kochanahalli, Mysuru 2. Sansera Engineering – Harohalli 3. DN Solutions India – ITIR, Devanahalli Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
The New Indian Express and NewsDrum (PTI): all three pairs are correct. Silectric's ₹3,425.60 crore unit is at Kochanahalli, Mysuru; Sansera's ₹2,150 crore project is at Harohalli; and DN Solutions India's ₹998 crore investment is at ITIR, Devanahalli.
The new Kalaburagi building of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, inaugurated on 22 December 2024, has how many beds?
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Correct answer: B — 371
The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle and The New Indian Express: the new building of the Kalaburagi branch has 371 beds.
The bed count of the new Jayadeva hospital building in Kalaburagi was chosen to mark ten years of special provisions for the Kalyana Karnataka region under which Article of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: A — Article 371(J)
The New Indian Express and The Hindu: the 371-bed capacity commemorates the tenth anniversary of the region's special status under Article 371(J), under which the KKRDB that funded the building was formed.
What was the cost of the new 371-bed Kalaburagi building of the Jayadeva heart institute inaugurated in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹327.17 crore
The Hindu and Deccan Chronicle: the building was constructed at a cost of ₹327.17 crore.
National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) signed an MoU with which Tripura body on 22 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): the eight initiatives included an MoU between NCOL and the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency.
According to the Union Cooperation Minister in December 2024, Tripura had made significant progress on how many of the Ministry of Cooperation's 57 initiatives?
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Correct answer: B — 41
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): out of the 57 initiatives taken by the Ministry of Cooperation, Tripura has made significant progress in implementing 41.
Projects worth over how much were inaugurated or had foundation stones laid in Dhalai, Tripura, on 22 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹668 crore
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹668 crore in Dhalai. The ₹900 crore figure relates to the Bru-Reang resettlement villages.
Consider the following statements about the Bru-Reang resettlement in Tripura, as described on 22 December 2024: 1. 38,000 Bru-Reang people have been resettled. 2. The resettlement covered 11 villages at a cost of ₹900 crore. 3. Haduklau Para Bru settlement colony is in Dhalai district. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MHA): all three statements are correct. 38,000 Bru-Reang people were resettled in 11 villages at a cost of ₹900 crore, and Amit Shah visited the Haduklau Para Bru Settlement Colony in Dhalai.
In which district of Gujarat was the Climate Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Center launched on 21 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Navsari
PIB (Ministry of Textiles): the Ministry of Textiles, with SASMIRA, launched the Climate Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Center in Navsari, Gujarat, in the presence of Union Minister C. R. Patil.
Which research association will maintain the Navsari agro-textile demonstration centre?
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Correct answer: D — SASMIRA
PIB (Ministry of Textiles): the centre was launched with the Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association (SASMIRA), which will maintain it for three years.
For how long will the Navsari agro-textile demonstration centre be maintained, as stated by the Ministry of Textiles?
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Correct answer: A — Three years, covering eight crop cycles
PIB (Ministry of Textiles): spread across 15,000 sq m, the centre will be maintained by SASMIRA for three years, covering eight crop cycles.
What MSP has been fixed for Fair Average Quality milling copra for the 2025 season?
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Correct answer: A — ₹11,582 per quintal
PIB (Cabinet): the MSP for Fair Average Quality milling copra has been fixed at ₹11,582 per quintal and for ball copra at ₹12,100 per quintal for the 2025 season.
What MSP has been fixed for ball copra for the 2025 season?
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Correct answer: C — ₹12,100 per quintal
PIB (Cabinet): the MSP for ball copra has been fixed at ₹12,100 per quintal for the 2025 season, up 120% from ₹5,500 in 2014.
Which agencies act as Central Nodal Agencies for procurement of copra and de-husked coconut under the Price Support Scheme?
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Correct answer: D — NAFED and NCCF
PIB (Cabinet): NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF) will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies for procurement of copra and de-husked coconut under the Price Support Scheme.
From which German state-owned bank did the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet allow APCRDA to raise a ₹5,000 crore loan for Amaravati in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — KfW
The Hindu and New Indian Express: the AP Cabinet on 19 December 2024 permitted APCRDA to raise a loan of ₹5,000 crore from Germany's KfW.
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet decided on 19 December 2024 to restore the mid-day meal scheme for which students?
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Correct answer: D — Intermediate students in government junior colleges
The Hindu and New Indian Express: the Cabinet decided to restore the mid-day meal scheme for Intermediate students in government junior colleges, benefiting about 1.41 lakh students.
How many engineering works in the Amaravati capital region did the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approve on 19 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 45
The Hindu and New Indian Express: the Cabinet approved 45 engineering works in the capital region of Amaravati.
How much additional allocation did Tamil Nadu announce for the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme on 18 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹400 crore
New Indian Express, Economic Times and The Hindu: CM M K Stalin announced an additional ₹400 crore for the scheme on 18 December 2024.
What is the unit cost sanctioned per house under Tamil Nadu's Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme for 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — ₹3.50 lakh
New Indian Express, Economic Times and The Hindu: ₹3,500 crore was sanctioned for one lakh houses in 2024-25 at ₹3.50 lakh per house.
By which year does Tamil Nadu aim to build eight lakh houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme for a hut-free state?
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Correct answer: A — 2030
New Indian Express and Economic Times: a survey found eight lakh huts in rural areas, and the state announced construction of eight lakh houses by 2030 to make Tamil Nadu hut-free.
What is the corpus of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF) launched on 16 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,000 crore
PIB (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD): the scheme provides a corpus of ₹1,000 crore for post-harvest finance availed by farmers against e-NWRs.
CGS-NPF provides guarantee cover for loans against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts for produce stored in warehouses registered with which body?
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Correct answer: D — Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority
PIB (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD): the scheme covers pledge finance against e-NWRs for farmers/traders who store produce in warehouses registered with the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA).
Consider the following statements about CGS-NPF: 1. It was launched by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. 2. It addresses default arising from both credit risk and warehouseman risk. 3. It is expected to boost post-harvest lending to ₹55,000 crore in the next 10 years. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Consumer Affairs, Food & PD): Pralhad Joshi launched the scheme, and it addresses default arising from both credit risk and warehouseman risk. Statement 3 is incorrect: the Food Secretary said it is expected to boost post-harvest lending to ₹5.5 lakh crore in the next 10 years.
Under the CGMFPFED–NCOL MoU signed on 16 December 2024, organic-certified forest produce from Chhattisgarh will be promoted under which brand?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Organics
PIB (Cooperation): organic-certified products from Chhattisgarh, including wild forest honey, tamarind, cashew, chironji, mahua and coarse grains, will be promoted under the brand 'Bharat Organics' in national and international markets.
Under the Chhattisgarh–NDDB dairy agreement of December 2024, the number of dairy cooperative societies in the state will grow from 650 to:
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Correct answer: C — 3,850
PIB (Cooperation): under the partnership, the number of dairy cooperative societies will grow from the current 650 to 3,850, with an additional 3,200 multipurpose primary dairy cooperative societies.
Consider the following statements about the Chhattisgarh–NDDB dairy agreement: 1. Milk collection capacity will rise from 79,000 kg to 5 lakh kg per day. 2. NDDB will charge technical service fees for dairy plants and cattle feed plants. 3. The project will be funded through Central schemes, NABARD loans and State Government contributions. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Cooperation): milk collection will rise from 79,000 kg to 5 lakh kg per day, and funding will come from Central schemes, NABARD loans and the State Government. Statement 2 is incorrect: NDDB will provide managerial support without charging any technical service fees.
Under the 'Jalvahak' scheme unveiled on 15 December 2024, cargo owners can get reimbursement of up to what share of total operating expenditure?
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Correct answer: B — 35%
PIB (Ports, Shipping & Waterways): the Jalvahak scheme offers reimbursement up to 35% of the total operating expenditure incurred while transporting cargo via waterways on NW 1, NW 2 and NW 16.
National Waterway 16, one of the three waterways covered by the 'Jalvahak' scheme, is on which river?
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Correct answer: A — Barak
PIB (Ports, Shipping & Waterways): Jalvahak covers NW 1 (river Ganga), NW 2 (river Brahmaputra) and NW 16 (river Barak).
Consider the following statements about the 'Jalvahak' scheme: 1. It provides incentives for transporting cargo via inland waterways over distances of more than 300 km. 2. It is initially valid for three years. 3. It is a joint effort of IWAI and Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited, a subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Ports, Shipping & Waterways): the scheme incentivises cargo moved over more than 300 km, is initially valid for 3 years, and is a joint effort of IWAI and ICSL, a fully owned subsidiary of SCI. All three statements are correct.
The cargo promotion schemes unveiled with 'Jalvahak' on 15 December 2024 aim at a modal shift of how much cargo to inland waterways by 2027?
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Correct answer: D — 800 million tonne-km
The schemes aim at a modal shift of 800 million tonne-km with an investment of ₹95.4 crore by 2027.
The Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Service flagged off on National Waterway 2 on 15 December 2024 connects Kolkata with:
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Correct answer: A — Pandu (Guwahati)
Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off a scheduled service between Kolkata and Pandu (Guwahati) on NW 2 via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, alongside the Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi service on NW 1.
The STRIVE project for strengthening Industrial Training Institutes was supported by which institution?
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Correct answer: B — World Bank
PIB (Skill Development): the Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) project, supported by the World Bank, achieved milestones during its seven-year implementation.
According to MSDE, female participation in vocational training under STRIVE rose to what level in 2022-23?
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Correct answer: C — 20%
PIB (Skill Development): female participation in vocational training rose from 12% in 2017-18 to 20% in 2022-23.
The Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme supports India's goal of achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by which year?
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Correct answer: A — 2030
PIB (Coal): the Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme is integral to India's goal of achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030.
Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (a CIL-BHEL joint venture), awarded ₹1,350 crore under the coal gasification scheme in December 2024, is setting up its ammonium nitrate project in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Odisha
PIB (Coal): BCGCL, a CIL-BHEL joint venture, was awarded ₹1,350 crore for its coal gasification project at Lakhanpur, Odisha, to produce 0.66 MMTPA of ammonium nitrate. The West Bengal and Maharashtra awards were coal-to-SNG and coal-to-ethanol projects.