Science & Technology Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which two facilities did Union Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurate at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, on 21 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — An Advanced Facility for Pashmina Certification and a Next Generation DNA Sequencing Facility
PIB (MoEFCC): Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the Advanced Facility for Pashmina Certification and the Next Generation DNA Sequencing Facility at WII, Dehradun.
What did the Pashmina Certification Centre (PCC) at WII issue when it was inaugurated a year before the December 2024 facilities?
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Correct answer: D — Its first unique ID barcode and certificate
PIB (MoEFCC): the new facilities build on the foundation laid the previous year, when the Minister inaugurated the Pashmina Certification Centre (PCC) and issued its first unique ID barcode and certificate.
Farmers in how many districts of Chhattisgarh are using Foldscope microscopy for crop disease detection, as reported in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 20
PIB (Science and Technology): farmers spanning 20 districts of Chhattisgarh are using the Foldscope for pest and disease detection, soil quality assessment and water analysis.
Which institute implements the Foldscope initiative for farmers in Chhattisgarh?
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Correct answer: C — ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management
PIB (Science and Technology): the initiative is implemented by ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management and supported under DST's SYST programme of the SEED Division.
In December 2024, TRAI recommended assigning Indian Railways an additional 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in which band?
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Correct answer: D — 700 MHz band
PIB (TRAI): in addition to the 5 MHz (paired) already assigned in the 700 MHz band, an additional 5 MHz (paired) in the 700 MHz band should be assigned to Indian Railways for safety and security applications.
According to TRAI's December 2024 recommendations, how should spectrum charges for Indian Railways, NCRTC, other RRTS and Metro rail networks be levied?
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Correct answer: B — Based on DoT's formula for Royalty Charges and Licence Fees for captive use
PIB (TRAI): spectrum charges for Indian Railways/NCRTC/other RRTS/Metro rail networks should be levied based on the formula for Royalty Charges and License Fees for captive use, as prescribed by DoT.
Scientists from which institute found that PET bottle-derived nanoplastics can spread antibiotic resistance, as reported by DST in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali
PIB (Science & Technology): scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institution of DST, carried out the study.
In the INST Mohali study, PET bottle-derived nanoplastics facilitated gene transfer from E. coli to which gut bacterium?
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Correct answer: C — Lactobacillus acidophilus
PIB (Science & Technology): the scientists demonstrated that PBNPs can facilitate cross-species gene transfer from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus, a significant bacterium in the human gut microbiota.
From which date did access providers start rejecting commercial SMS traffic sent through unregistered paths, as announced by TRAI in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 11 December 2024
PIB (TRAI): effective 11 December 2024, SMS traffic sent through unregistered paths is being rejected.
TRAI's commercial SMS traceability framework is built on which technology platform?
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Correct answer: D — Blockchain-based Distributed Ledger Technology
PIB (TRAI): the traceability of commercial messages is implemented on the blockchain-based Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform.
ABHED, whose technology was transferred by DRDO in December 2024, is a:
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Correct answer: D — Light weight bullet resistant jacket
PIB (Defence): Transfer of Technology of the light weight bullet resistant jacket ABHED (Advanced Ballistic High Energy Defeat) was done with three industry partners.
How many tripartite agreements were signed among DRDO, IIT Delhi and industry at the DIA-GARIMA event on 19 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 10
PIB (Defence): during the DIA-GARIMA event at IIT Delhi, 10 tripartite agreements were signed among DRDO, IIT Delhi and industry partners.
Which of the following was NOT among the industry partners that received the ABHED jacket technology in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Bharat Electronics Ltd
PIB (Defence): ABHED technology was transferred to MIDHANI (Rohtak), SMPP Pvt Ltd (Delhi) and AR Polymers (MKU), Kanpur. Bharat Electronics Ltd was not among them.
The National Institute of Siddha set a Guinness World Record in December 2024 for mass delivery of which therapy?
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Correct answer: A — Varmam
PIB (Ayush): the National Institute of Siddha set a Guinness World Record for providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously.
How many individuals received Varmam therapy simultaneously in the National Institute of Siddha's Guinness World Record event?
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Correct answer: B — 567
PIB (Ayush): 567 trained Varmanis simultaneously provided therapy to 567 individuals.
The National Institute of Siddha, which set a Guinness World Record on 18 December 2024, is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Tambaram, Chennai
PIB (Ayush): the record event was held at the NIS campus in Tambaram, Chennai.
Nanosheets of which material were used by CeNS Bengaluru scientists to regulate infrared radiation, as reported in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Hexagonal boron nitride
PIB (Science & Technology): the strategy uses solution-processed 2D nanoflakes of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) assembled in a polymer network liquid crystal.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential application of the CeNS Bengaluru infrared regulation strategy?
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Correct answer: D — Solar cell power generation
PIB (Science & Technology): the h-BN based strategy has potential for deployment as a radiative heat barrier, in thermal camouflage and in thermal management applications. Solar cell power generation is not mentioned.
What is Kisan Kavach, launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — An anti-pesticide bodysuit for farmers
PIB (Science & Technology): Kisan Kavach is Bharat's first-of-its-kind anti-pesticide bodysuit, designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.
Kisan Kavach was developed by BRIC-inStem, Bengaluru in collaboration with which company?
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Correct answer: C — Sepio Health Pvt Ltd
PIB (Science & Technology): Kisan Kavach was developed by BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt Ltd.
Consider the following statements about Kisan Kavach: 1. It is priced at ₹4,000. 2. It is washable and reusable and can last up to a year. 3. Its fabric deactivates pesticides on contact. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Science & Technology): the washable and reusable suit is priced at ₹4,000, can last up to a year, and uses fabric technology that deactivates harmful pesticides upon contact. All three statements are correct.
AIIMS New Delhi signed an umbrella MoU for collaborative healthcare research with which organisation on 17 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR
PIB (Science & Technology): CSIR and AIIMS New Delhi signed an MoU on 17 December 2024 for collaborative research in the healthcare domain.
Under the CSIR-AIIMS umbrella MoU of December 2024, which CSIR laboratory signed a separate MoU with AIIMS New Delhi?
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Correct answer: B — CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad
PIB (Science & Technology): under the umbrella MoU, another MoU was signed between CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad and AIIMS New Delhi for focused research projects and use of CSIR-CCMB facilities.
Which launch vehicle of Agnikul Cosmos is being supported by the Technology Development Board, as announced in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Agnibaan
PIB (Science & Technology): TDB is supporting Agnikul Cosmos to develop and commercialise 'Agnibaan', a customisable two-stage launch vehicle.
Agnibaan, supported by TDB, can deliver payloads of up to how much to orbits at 700 km altitude?
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Correct answer: C — 300 kg
PIB (Science & Technology): Agnibaan is a two-stage launch vehicle capable of delivering payloads of up to 300 kg to orbits at 700 km altitude.
Agnikul's Agnibaan SOrTeD mission is described by the Ministry of Science & Technology as the world's first flight using:
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Correct answer: A — A single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine
PIB (Science & Technology): the maiden launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD was the world's first flight using a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine.
Under which scheme of the Department of Telecommunications did C-DOT sign the agreement with Silizium Circuits for LEO satellite components in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Telecom Technology Development Fund
PIB (Communications): the agreement was signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications.
Silizium Circuits, which signed an agreement with C-DOT in December 2024, is a startup under the fabless chip design incubator of which institute?
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Correct answer: D — IIT Hyderabad
PIB (Communications): Silizium Circuits Pvt Ltd is a fabless semiconductor IP and SoC startup under FABCI (Fabless Chip Design Incubator), IIT Hyderabad.
The Dr Ranbir Singh Tinkerers' Lab, opened in December 2024, is located at which institute?
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Correct answer: D — IIT Ropar
PIB (Science & Technology): IIT Ropar opened its new Dr Ranbir Singh Tinkerers' Lab, a maker space accessible to all students round the clock.
Which foundation funded IIT Ropar's Dr Ranbir Singh Tinkerers' Lab?
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Correct answer: B — Maker Bhavan Foundation
PIB (Science & Technology): the lab was made possible by funding from the Maker Bhavan Foundation through a donation from philanthropist Dr Ranbir Singh.
Who inaugurated the Geological Survey of India's Geoscience Museum in Gwalior on 15 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar
PIB (Mines): Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the state-of-the-art GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior on 15 December 2024.
The GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior is housed in which building?
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Correct answer: D — Victoria Market Building
PIB (Mines): the GSI Geoscience Museum was inaugurated at the Victoria Market Building in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Which Coal India subsidiary launched the 'CHARAK' health-centric CSR initiative on 15 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Northern Coalfields Limited
PIB (Coal): Singrauli-based Coal India arm Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) rolled out 'CHARAK' – Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal.
Under NCL's 'CHARAK' scheme, residents of Singrauli and Sonbhadra are eligible if their annual family income is below:
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Correct answer: D — ₹8 lakh
PIB (Coal): residents of Singrauli and Sonbhadra districts having annual family income below ₹8 lakh from all sources are eligible under the scheme.
The Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS), which marked its 50th Foundation Day on 14 December 2024, was established in:
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Correct answer: A — 1974
PIB (Communications): since its establishment in 1974, IP&TAFS has been at the forefront of India's telecommunications and postal financial landscape.
The Department of Telecommunications' SAMPANN portal, lauded at the IP&TAFS 50th Foundation Day, is used for:
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Correct answer: D — Pension disbursement
PIB (Communications): IP&TAFS oversees disbursement of DoT pensions through the cloud-based SAMPANN portal; revenue assurance is handled through the separate SARAS portal.
According to the Indian Prevention of Diabetes Study released in December 2024, a 40-minute daily yoga routine can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by approximately:
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Correct answer: C — 40%
PIB (Science & Technology): the study found that a 40-minute daily yoga routine with standard lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by approximately 40%. 28% and 32% are the figures for earlier lifestyle and lifestyle-plus-metformin trials.
The 'Indian Prevention of Diabetes Study' on yoga, released on 13 December 2024, was initiated by which organisation?
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Correct answer: D — Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India
PIB (Science & Technology): the study was initiated by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) and released by Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Prevention of Diabetes Study (December 2024): 1. It was conducted over three years across five centres in India. 2. It involved nearly 1,000 prediabetic individuals. 3. The yoga routine tested lasted 60 minutes a day. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Science & Technology): the study ran over three years across five centres with nearly 1,000 prediabetic individuals. Statement 3 is incorrect: the routine was 40 minutes a day.
Which DRDO laboratory designed and developed the Indian Light Tank that completed high-altitude firing trials in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Chennai
PIB (Defence): the light tank has been defined, designed and developed by CVRDE, the Chennai-based laboratory of DRDO.
Which company is the industry partner manufacturing DRDO's Indian Light Tank?
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Correct answer: D — Larsen & Toubro
PIB (Defence): the Indian Light Tank is manufactured by industry partner Larsen & Toubro Precision Engineering & Systems.
What is the theme of the 10th World Ayurveda Congress inaugurated in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Digital Health: An Ayurveda Perspective
PIB (Ayush): the central theme for WAC 2024 is 'Digital Health: An Ayurveda Perspective'.
Where was the 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo inaugurated on 12 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Dehradun
PIB (Ayush): the 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo were inaugurated in Dehradun in the presence of Prataprao Jadhav and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The Regional Centre for Biotechnology, two of whose scientists were named EMBO Global Investigators in December 2024, is located in:
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Correct answer: A — Faridabad
PIB (Science & Technology): two of the five India-based new EMBO Global Investigators are from the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad.
The EMBO Global Investigator Network supports young group leaders in which countries?
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Correct answer: B — Chile, India, Singapore and Taiwan
PIB (Science & Technology): the EMBO Global Investigator Network supports young group leaders in Chile, India, Singapore and Taiwan.
Which edition of the Smart India Hackathon had its Grand Finale begin on 11 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 7th
PIB (11 Dec 2024): the 7th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) began concurrently at 51 centres nationwide on 11 December 2024.
In which year was the Smart India Hackathon launched?
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Correct answer: A — 2017
PIB (11 Dec 2024): launched in 2017, the Smart India Hackathon has gained massive popularity among young innovators.
For how long does the Software Edition of the Smart India Hackathon 2024 Grand Finale run non-stop?
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Correct answer: D — 36 hours
PIB (11 Dec 2024): the Software Edition will run non-stop for 36 hours, and the Hardware Edition will continue from 11 to 15 December 2024.
Enrolment for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card reached what figure within two months of its launch, as reported on 9 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 25 lakh
PIB (9 Dec 2024): enrolment for the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card reached 25 lakh in less than 2 months of its launch on 29 October 2024.
How much free health cover does the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card provide to senior citizens aged 70 and above?
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Correct answer: A — Rs 5 lakh
PIB (9 Dec 2024): the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card provides Rs 5 lakh free health cover to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
'Melye-amiley', found to have anti-obesity effects in a study reported on 9 December 2024, is a traditional fermented food of Tripura made from:
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Correct answer: B — Bamboo shoot
PIB (9 Dec 2024): extract from a traditional fermented bamboo shoot variety of Tripura, called 'Melye-amiley', has anti-obesity effects, according to a study led by IASST.
The 'Amrit Gyaan Kosh' portal launched by Dr Jitendra Singh on 9 December 2024 aims to strengthen:
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Correct answer: D — Governance training
PIB (9 Dec 2024): Dr Jitendra Singh launched the 'Amrit Gyaan Kosh' Portal to strengthen governance training.
Where did Union Health Minister J P Nadda launch the 100-day intensified nationwide TB campaign on 7 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Panchkula, Haryana
PIB (7 Dec 2024): J P Nadda launched the 100-day intensified nationwide campaign to reduce TB incidence and mortality in Panchkula, Haryana.
The 100-day intensified TB campaign launched on 7 December 2024 focuses on how many of the most affected districts?
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Correct answer: A — 347
PIB (7 Dec 2024): the focused 100-day campaign aims to quickly detect and treat TB patients in the 347 most affected districts across the country.
According to J P Nadda on 7 December 2024, the rate of TB decline in India has risen from 8.3% in 2015 to:
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Correct answer: D — 17.7%
PIB (7 Dec 2024): the rate of TB decline in India has doubled from 8.3% in 2015 to 17.7% today; TB deaths have reduced by 21.4% in the last 10 years.
How much Ni-kshay support has been provided through DBT to TB patients, as stated on 7 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 3,338 crore
PIB (7 Dec 2024): Ni-kshay support worth Rs 3,338 crore has been provided through direct benefit transfer to over 1.17 crore TB patients.
Consider the following statements made by J P Nadda on 7 December 2024: 1. Deaths due to TB in India have reduced by 21.4% in the last 10 years. 2. TB is now detected early thanks to a network of over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB (7 Dec 2024): deaths due to TB have reduced by 21.4% in the last 10 years, and TB is detected early thanks to the network of over 1.7 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
PSLV-C59, launched on 5 December 2024, carried the Proba-3 spacecraft of which space agency?
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Correct answer: C — European Space Agency (ESA)
ISRO: PSLV-C59 carried Proba-3, an in-orbit demonstration mission of the European Space Agency, into a highly elliptical orbit on 5 December 2024.
According to ISRO, what is the mission goal of Proba-3, launched on PSLV-C59?
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Correct answer: A — To demonstrate precise formation flying
ISRO: Proba-3 is an In-Orbit Demonstration mission of the European Space Agency; the mission goal is to demonstrate precise formation flying.
The PSLV-C59/Proba-3 launch of 5 December 2024 was a dedicated commercial mission of:
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Correct answer: D — NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
ISRO: PSLV-C59 carried Proba-3 into a highly elliptical orbit as a dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) on 5 December 2024.
Consider the following statements about the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission: 1. It was launched from the Second Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. 2. Proba-3 consists of a Coronagraph Spacecraft and an Occulter Spacecraft. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
ISRO: Proba-3 consists of 2 spacecraft, the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC), so statement 2 is correct. The launch was from the First Launch Pad (FLP), SDSC-SHAR, so statement 1 is wrong. Answer: 2 only.
According to The Hindu, the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission was which flight of the PSLV?
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Correct answer: C — 61st
The Hindu (5 Dec 2024): the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 Mission is the 61st flight of PSLV and the 26th using the PSLV-XL configuration.
Who inaugurated the 63rd annual conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine at IAM Bengaluru on 5 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of the Air Staff
PIB (7 Dec 2024): the 63rd ISAM annual conference at IAM Bengaluru (5–7 December 2024) was inaugurated by Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, on 5 December 2024.
India and Slovenia met on 5 December 2024 to finalise a science and technology Programme of Cooperation for which period?
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Correct answer: B — 2024–2029
PIB (5 Dec 2024): Dr Jitendra Singh and Slovenian Minister Dr Igor Papič met at Parliament House to finalise the Programme of Cooperation (PoC) for 2024–2029.
Who chaired the first annual review meeting of RuTAG 2.0 projects held at SKUAST, Srinagar on 5–6 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser
PIB (6 Dec 2024): the first annual review meeting of RuTAG 2.0 projects at SKUAST, Srinagar on 5–6 December 2024 was chaired by Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
On 4 December 2024, President Droupadi Murmu attended which anniversary celebration of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Puri?
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Correct answer: A — 75th
PIB (4 Dec 2024): the President graced the 75th anniversary celebration of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya at Puri, Odisha.