Science & Technology Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
On 25 October 2024, PM Modi condoled the passing of which pioneering scientist, describing her as 'a strong votary of more women in the world of science'?
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Correct answer: C — Rohini Godbole
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: 'Pained by the passing away of Rohini Godbole Ji. She was a pioneering scientist and innovator, who also was a strong votary of more women in the world of science.'
Where was the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024, which concluded on 25 October 2024, held?
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Correct answer: A — Manekshaw Centre, Delhi
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: the Chanakya Defence Dialogue culminated on 25th October at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi.
The Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024 was which edition of the Indian Army's flagship international seminar?
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Correct answer: C — Second
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: the second edition of the Indian Army's flagship international seminar, the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, culminated on 25th October.
The ICMR 'First in the World' Challenge, launched by JP Nadda on 25 October 2024, was inspired by the success of:
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Correct answer: A — Chandrayaan-3
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: one of the key initiatives launched is the 'First in the World' Challenge, inspired by the success of Chandrayaan-3.
The animal health security project launched in New Delhi on 25 October 2024 is funded by:
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Correct answer: C — G20 Pandemic Fund
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: the Pandemic Fund Project is a $25 Million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund.
What is the size of the Pandemic Fund project on 'Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response' launched on 25 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — $25 million
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: the Pandemic Fund Project is a $25 Million initiative.
What is the name of the website launched by the Railway Protection Force on 25 October 2024 to honour its martyrs?
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Correct answer: D — Digital Memorial of Valour
PIB, 26 Oct 2024: 'Digital Memorial of Valour' is a website to honour the sacrifices of RPF's courageous personnel, launched on 25 October 2024 in New Delhi.
'SECL Ki Dhadkan', under which 20 children got free heart surgeries (programme held 25 October 2024), is an extension of which Coal India CSR initiative?
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Correct answer: B — Nanha Sa Dil
PIB, 26 Oct 2024: SECL Ki Dhadkan, an extension of Coal India's overarching CSR initiative 'Nanha Sa Dil', focuses on medical interventions for congenital heart disease.
At which DRDO establishment did the DRDO Directors' Conclave 2024 begin on 25 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ARDE, Pune
PIB, 25 Oct 2024: the two-day DRDO Directors' Conclave 2024 commenced at Armament Research & Development Establishment, Pune on October 25, 2024.
The ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund for the space sector approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 October 2024 is under the aegis of:
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Correct answer: B — IN-SPACe
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: the Union Cabinet approved setting up of Rs.1000 crore Venture Capital Fund dedicated to space sector, under aegis of IN-SPACe.
Approximately how many startups is the ₹1,000 crore space Venture Capital Fund (approved 24 October 2024) expected to support?
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Correct answer: D — 40
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: based on the investment range, the fund is expected to support approximately 40 startups.
What is the planned deployment period of the ₹1,000 crore space VC fund approved on 24 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Up to five years from the start of fund operations
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: the deployment period is planned to be up to five years from the actual date of start of the fund operations.
What is the indicative range of investment per company under the space VC fund approved on 24 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10-60 crore
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: the indicative range of investment is proposed to be Rs.10-Rs.60 crore, contingent upon the stage of the company.
What new facility does the ECI's upgraded Suvidha 2.0 mobile app (launched 24 October 2024) offer candidates and parties?
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Correct answer: D — Applying for campaign-related permissions
PIB, 24 Oct 2024: candidates and parties can now apply for campaign related permissions also in the new Suvidha 2.0 mobile application; earlier they could only track status and download approvals on the app.
To what purity level is Boron-11 enriched at the electronics-grade facility inaugurated at HWBF, Talcher on 23 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Above 99.8%
PIB, 30 Oct 2024: with technology demonstration of B-11 enrichment to electronics grade (>99.8%) at HWBF, Talcher, India has joined the elite club of nations having this technology.
Electronics-grade Boron-11 (facility inaugurated at Talcher on 23 October 2024) is used to produce BF3 gas, which serves as:
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Correct answer: A — A p-type dopant in semiconductor chip manufacturing
PIB, 30 Oct 2024: electronics grade B-11 is used for production of BF3 gas which is used as p-type dopant in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips.
Who inaugurated the Electronics Grade Boron-11 Enrichment Facility at HWBF, Talcher on 23 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Dr A.K. Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission
PIB, 30 Oct 2024: Dr A.K. Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, DAE inaugurated the facility at HWBF, Talcher on October 23, 2024.
According to DoT (22 October 2024), about how many incoming international calls were identified and blocked as spoofed within 24 hours of the new prevention system's operation?
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Correct answer: C — About 1.35 crore
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: the system identified and blocked about 1.35 crore calls as spoofed in the last 24 hours, about 90% of all incoming international calls.
The 'International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System' launched on 22 October 2024 is designed to block:
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Correct answer: D — Incoming international calls that display Indian (+91) numbers by manipulating the calling line identity
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: cyber criminals make international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers (+91-xxxxxxxxx) by manipulating the calling line identity (CLI); the system identifies and blocks such calls.
While unveiling BSNL's new logo on 22 October 2024, the Minister said BSNL had successfully trialled indigenous 5G RAN and core in which bands?
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Correct answer: B — 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: BSNL has successfully conducted trials of indigenous 5G RAN and core in both the 3.6 GHz and 700 MHz bands.
PMBJP achieved sales worth ₹1,000 crore in October 2024. In the previous year, this target had been met in:
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Correct answer: A — December 2023
PIB, 21 Oct 2024: sales worth ₹1,000 crore in October 2024, a significant advancement from the previous year when this target was met in December 2023.
According to the Government (21 October 2024), Jan Aushadhi Kendras have grown from about how many in 2014 to how many now?
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Correct answer: B — 80 to over 14,000
PIB, 21 Oct 2024: Kendras were only 80 in 2014 and have grown to more than 14,000; 25,000 is the target for the next 2 years.
As per PIB (21 October 2024), the PMBJP product basket comprises:
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Correct answer: D — 2,047 medicines and 300 surgical devices
PIB, 21 Oct 2024: the product basket of PMBJP comprises 2047 medicines and 300 surgical devices.
The Department of Posts' drone mail proof of concept started on 21 October 2024 connected which two post offices?
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Correct answer: A — Chowkham PO (Namsai) and Wakro BO (Lohit), Arunachal Pradesh
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: the PoC started on 21 October 2024 between Chowkham PO and Wakro BO, in Namsai and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
With which company did the Department of Posts tie up for the drone mail proof of concept in Arunachal Pradesh (October 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Skye Air Mobility Private Limited
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: Department of Posts has entered into a tie up with SKYE AIR Mobility Private Limited for carrying out the POC.
According to the ICMR-INDIAB data released on 20 October 2024, what is the overall burden of diabetes in the Jammu region?
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Correct answer: B — 18.9%
PIB, 20 Oct 2024: the overall burden in Jammu region is 18.9%, with 26.5% in urban and 14.5% in rural areas.
What was the diabetes prevalence in urban areas of the Jammu region as per the ICMR-INDIAB data (20 October 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — 26.5%
PIB, 20 Oct 2024: 26.5% in urban areas and 14.5% in rural areas.
The Jammu-region data of the ICMR-INDIAB study released on 20 October 2024 covered how many districts?
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Correct answer: A — 10
PIB, 20 Oct 2024: the overall burden of the disease in Jammu region covering its 10 districts is 18.9%.
According to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda (20 October 2024), which hospital is being redeveloped into Asia's second-largest hospital?
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Correct answer: B — Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH)
PIB, 20 Oct 2024 (Nadda): 'The Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is being redeveloped into Asia's second-largest hospital.'
As cited by J.P. Nadda on 20 October 2024, how many of India's 1.73 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are in Bihar?
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Correct answer: A — 10,716
PIB, 20 Oct 2024: of 1.73 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 10,716 are in Bihar and 3,825 in Jharkhand.
While inaugurating the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi (20 October 2024), the PM listed five pillars of India's health strategy. Which of the following was NOT among them?
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Correct answer: D — Mandatory private health insurance for all
PIB, 20 Oct 2024: the five pillars are preventive healthcare, timely diagnosis, free and low-cost treatment, good treatment in small towns, and expansion of technology in healthcare.
At WTSA-2024, India's leadership positions in ITU-T increased from 7 (WTSA-2022) to:
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Correct answer: B — 11
PIB, 19 Oct 2024: India increased its leadership positions in ITU-T from 7 in WTSA-2022 to 11 in WTSA-2024.
Consider the following statements about India at WTSA-2024 (PIB, 19 October 2024): 1. India secured the Chair position in all 10 ITU-T Study Groups. 2. India secured Vice-Chair positions in 9 Study Groups and the SCV Committee. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: India retained the Chair in one group. Statement 2 is correct: it secured Vice-Chair positions in all other 9 Study Groups and the SCV Committee.
WTSA-2024, hosted by India, was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during:
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Correct answer: D — 15-24 October 2024
PIB, 19 Oct 2024: WTSA-2024 at Bharat Mandapam was inaugurated by the PM on 15 October and will continue till 24 October 2024.
AROHA-2024, the first-ever international conference of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, was inaugurated on 17 October 2024 by:
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Correct answer: B — Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: AROHA-2024 was inaugurated today by Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India.
17 October 2024, the opening day of AROHA-2024, also marked which foundation day of the All India Institute of Ayurveda?
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Correct answer: C — 8th
PIB: the CJI said the day also marks the 8th foundation day of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA).
The ETAI Framework launched for the Armed Forces on 17 October 2024 relates to:
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Correct answer: A — Evaluating trustworthy artificial intelligence
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: Evaluating Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ETAI) Framework and Guidelines for the Armed Forces were launched.
The ETAI Framework and Guidelines were launched on 17 October 2024 by CDS General Anil Chauhan and:
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Correct answer: B — DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat
PIB: launched by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat in New Delhi on October 17.
Which of the following is NOT among the five broad principles of the ETAI Framework (October 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Autonomy
PIB: the ETAI Framework focuses on five broad principles: Reliability & Robustness, Safety & Security, Transparency, Fairness and Privacy. Autonomy is not one of them.
The 'Scam se Bacho' national user awareness campaign launched on 17 October 2024 is a collaboration of the Government with:
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Correct answer: D — Meta
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: Government and Meta join forces for 'Scam se Bacho' campaign to tackle rising online scams.
At the 'Scam se Bacho' launch on 17 October 2024, how many cyber fraud cases were cited as reported in India in 2023?
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Correct answer: A — 1.1 million
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: rising cyber frauds, with 1.1 million cases reported in 2023.
'Pavana Chitra', unveiled on 17 October 2024 as India's first airport-based self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility, is located at:
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Correct answer: B — Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled Pavana Chitra, India's first Airport based self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
The indoor solar cells powering the 'Pavana Chitra' air quality monitor (October 2024) were developed by:
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-NIIST
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: the off-grid air quality monitor is powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST, crafted from locally available materials.
Scientists at INST Mohali (reported 17 October 2024) developed a nose-to-brain delivery method for brain tuberculosis using nano-aggregates made of:
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Correct answer: A — Chitosan
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: scientists at INST Mohali used tiny particles made of a natural material called chitosan to deliver TB medicines directly to the brain through the nose.
South Eastern Coalfields Limited's fourth AMRIT pharmacy, the country's 216th (reported 16 October 2024), is located in:
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Correct answer: C — Bilaspur
PIB, 16 Oct 2024: the 216th AMRIT pharmacy is located at the Health Centre in SECL's Indira Vihar Colony, Bilaspur. (Gevra in Korba and Sohagpur in Shahdol host the earlier ones.)
Which assembly of the International Telecommunication Union did PM Modi inaugurate in New Delhi on 15 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: the Prime Minister inaugurated the International Telecommunication Union - World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 at Bharat Mandapam.
Which edition of the India Mobile Congress did PM Modi inaugurate on 15 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 8th
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: Shri Modi also inaugurated the 8th edition of India Mobile Congress during the programme.
At WTSA 2024 (15 October 2024), PM Modi said the length of optical fibre India laid in 10 years is how many times the Earth-Moon distance?
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Correct answer: D — Eight times
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: The length of optical fiber that India has laid in just 10 years is eight times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Who was the ITU Secretary-General present at the inauguration of WTSA 2024 in New Delhi on 15 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Doreen Bogdan-Martin
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: the Prime Minister welcomed ... Secretary General of ITU Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
How much did the government approve for the three AI Centres of Excellence announced on 15 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — ₹990 crore
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: Government approved Rs. 990.00 Crore for creation of three AI-CoEs.
The three AI Centres of Excellence announced on 15 October 2024 focus on:
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Correct answer: A — Healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: three AI Centres of Excellence (CoE) focused on Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities.
The apex committee for implementing the three AI Centres of Excellence (announced 15 October 2024) was led by:
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Correct answer: B — Sridhar Vembu
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: he complimented the apex committee led by Shri Sridhar Vembu for their efforts towards the implementation of these CoEs. (K. Sanjay Murthy is Secretary, Higher Education.)
By how much did the NPPA raise the ceiling prices of 11 scheduled formulations of 8 drugs, as announced on 14 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 50%
PIB (14 Oct 2024): NPPA approved increase in the ceiling prices of eleven scheduled formulations of eight drugs by 50% of their current ceiling prices.
Consider the following statements about the NPPA decision announced on 14 October 2024: 1. The NPPA reduced the ceiling prices of the eight drugs. 2. The NPPA invoked extraordinary powers under Para 19 of the DPCO, 2013. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 2 is correct; statement 1 is wrong. PIB (14 Oct 2024): invoking extraordinary powers under Para 19 of DPCO 2013, NPPA approved an increase (not a reduction) in ceiling prices.
The MAHA-EV Mission launched by ANRF on 14 October 2024 focuses on R&D in:
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Correct answer: A — Electric vehicle components such as battery cells, PEMD and charging infrastructure
PIB (14 Oct 2024): MAHA-EV Mission is designed to build an R&D ecosystem for EV components particularly Battery Cells, Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD) and Charging Infrastructure.
The first meeting of the ANRF Governing Board, which began its operationalisation, was held on:
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Correct answer: C — 10 September 2024
PIB (14 Oct 2024): the operationalisation of ANRF was initiated with the first meeting of the Governing Board on September 10, 2024, chaired by the Prime Minister.
As per the Government's October 2024 backgrounder, Tele MANAS has handled over how many calls since its launch?
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Correct answer: C — 14.7 lakh
PIB backgrounder (13 Oct 2024): Tele MANAS has handled over 14.7 lakh calls since its launch.
When was the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS) launched?
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Correct answer: A — 10 October 2022
PIB backgrounder (13 Oct 2024): the National Tele Mental Health Programme was launched by the Government of India on October 10, 2022.
In how many Indian languages is the Tele MANAS service available, as per the October 2024 backgrounder?
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Correct answer: D — 20
PIB backgrounder (13 Oct 2024): the service is available in 20 Indian languages.
India's first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers, inaugurated on 13 October 2024, is located at:
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Correct answer: C — Jejuri, Pune
PIB (13 Oct 2024): Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated India's first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers at Jejuri in Pune.
The biopolymer demonstration facility at Jejuri uses indigenous technology to produce which bioplastic?
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Correct answer: A — Polylactic Acid (PLA)
PIB (13 Oct 2024): the facility is a pioneering effort in indigenously integrated technology for the production of Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic.
Which company built India's first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers at Jejuri?
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Correct answer: B — Praj Industries
PIB (13 Oct 2024): the facility has been built by Praj Industries.
How many Indo-US teams were given the opportunity to work together under the USISTEF awards presented on 12 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 17
PIB (12 Oct 2024): 17 Indo-US teams given opportunity to work together, primarily to develop AI-enabled tech and quantum technologies.
The USISTEF award teams of October 2024 will work primarily on which technologies?
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Correct answer: B — AI-enabled technology and quantum technologies
PIB (12 Oct 2024): the 17 teams will work together primarily to develop AI-enabled tech and Quantum Technologies.
Which US Ambassador participated in the USISTEF award function on 12 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Eric Garcetti
PIB (12 Oct 2024): the USISTEF award function, in which United States Ambassador Eric Garcetti also participated.