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 Indian body, along with the NRA of India, was found on 11 October 2024 to meet WHO indicators for a functional vaccine regulatory system?
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Correct answer: B — CDSCO
PIB (11 Oct 2024): the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), along with the NRA of India and affiliated institutions, meets the WHO indicators for a functional vaccine regulatory system.
Against which version of the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool was India's vaccine regulatory system declared 'functional' in October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Version VI
PIB (11 Oct 2024): India has been declared 'functional' against all the core regulatory functions of the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool Version VI.
Consider the following statements about the WHO re-benchmarking of India's vaccine regulatory system: 1. The review was conducted from 16 to 20 September 2024 by an expert team led by WHO headquarters. 2. India's system had earlier been benchmarked in 2017 against GBT version V. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. PIB (11 Oct 2024): the WHO HQ-led review ran from September 16 to 20, 2024, and India's system was benchmarked in 2017 against GBT version V.
Through which body did the Government of Maharashtra sign the MoU with NIELIT on 11 October 2024 for Centres of Excellence?
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Correct answer: C — Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education
PIB (11 Oct 2024): the MoU was signed between NIELIT and the Government of Maharashtra through its Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai.
Which Union Minister said the NIELIT-Maharashtra Centres of Excellence effort of 11 October 2024, beginning in Maharashtra, will be extended to other states?
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Correct answer: B — Ashwini Vaishnaw
PIB (11 Oct 2024): Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology, said the effort, beginning in Maharashtra, will be extended to other states.
A study released on 10 October 2024 found significant shale gas potential in the eastern South Karanpura coalfield. In which state is it?
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Correct answer: D — Jharkhand
PIB/DST (10 Oct 2024): the study indicated significant hydrocarbon generation potential in the eastern South Karanpura coalfield in Ramgarh district of Jharkhand.
David Baker received half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 for what?
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Correct answer: A — Computational protein design
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): one half to David Baker 'for computational protein design'.
Which AI model, presented in 2020 by Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, was recognised by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024?
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Correct answer: D — AlphaFold2
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): in 2020, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper presented an AI model called AlphaFold2.
Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, Nobel Chemistry 2024 laureates, are affiliated with which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — Google DeepMind
Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): Demis Hassabis and John Jumper are listed with Google DeepMind, London, UK.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024: 1. It was awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 2. AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (9 Oct 2024): the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences decided to award the prize, and AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries.
Till when did the Union Cabinet on 9 October 2024 approve continuation of free fortified rice supply under PMGKAY and other schemes?
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Correct answer: B — December 2028
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the Cabinet approved continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice from July 2024 up to December 2028.
Which micronutrients are added to rice through Fortified Rice Kernels under the rice fortification initiative?
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Correct answer: D — Iron, folic acid and vitamin B12
PIB (9 Oct 2024): rice fortification adds Fortified Rice Kernels enriched with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, as per FSSAI standards, to regular rice.
The continuation of the rice fortification initiative approved on 9 October 2024 complements which Government strategy?
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Correct answer: A — Anaemia Mukt Bharat
PIB (9 Oct 2024): continuation of the rice fortification initiative will complement the interventions under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy.
Consider the following statements about the rice fortification initiative: 1. It will continue as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY. 2. Universal coverage of fortified rice in all Government schemes was achieved by March 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. PIB (9 Oct 2024): the initiative continues as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY, and universal coverage was achieved by March 2024 after three phases.
By how much did India reduce its Maternal Mortality Ratio between 2000 and 2020, as commended by UNFPA in October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 70%
PIB (9 Oct 2024): Dr Kanem commended India's efforts in reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by an impressive 70% between 2000 and 2020.
Who, as Executive Director of UNFPA, felicitated India's Union Health Secretary for progress in maternal health (PIB, 9 October 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Dr Natalia Kanem
PIB (9 Oct 2024): Dr Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, felicitated Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava; Andrea M. Wojnar is the UNFPA India Representative.
How many Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra did PM Modi inaugurate on 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 10
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the PM inaugurated 10 Government Medical Colleges in Maharashtra.
On 9 October 2024, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a new integrated terminal building at which airport in Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: C — Shirdi
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the PM laid the foundation stone for a New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi Airport.
What was the total value of the Maharashtra projects for which PM Modi laid foundation stones on 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Over ₹7,600 crore
PIB (9 Oct 2024): the PM laid the foundation stone for various development projects in Maharashtra worth over Rs 7600 crore.
Trachoma, which WHO certified India as having eliminated as a public health problem on 8 October 2024, primarily affects which organ?
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Correct answer: D — Eyes
PIB (8 Oct 2024): trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes and, if untreated, causes irreversible blindness.
With WHO's October 2024 certification, India became which country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem?
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Correct answer: B — Third
PIB (8 Oct 2024): India became the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
Trachoma is caused by which bacterium?
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Correct answer: A — Chlamydia trachomatis
PIB (8 Oct 2024): trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024?
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Correct answer: B — John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 is awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton.
Geoffrey Hinton used the Hopfield network as the foundation for which new network, as cited by the Nobel Committee?
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Correct answer: D — Boltzmann machine
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): Geoffrey Hinton used the Hopfield network as the foundation for a new network: the Boltzmann machine.
With which university was Geoffrey Hinton affiliated in the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 announcement?
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Correct answer: C — University of Toronto
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): Geoffrey Hinton, University of Toronto, Canada; John J. Hopfield, Princeton University, USA.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024: 1. The Hopfield network utilises physics that describes a material's characteristics due to atomic spin. 2. The prize of 11 million Swedish kronor is to be shared equally between the laureates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): the Hopfield network uses physics describing atomic spin, and the prize amount of 11 million Swedish kronor is to be shared equally.
Who were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine?
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Correct answer: B — Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of:
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Correct answer: D — microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the prize was awarded 'for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation'.
On which model organism did Ambros and Ruvkun make the discovery honoured by the 2024 Medicine Nobel?
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Correct answer: C — C. elegans (roundworm)
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): they studied the 1 mm long roundworm C. elegans, including the lin-4 and lin-14 mutant strains.
Consider the following about the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: 1. Ambros and Ruvkun published their microRNA findings in 1993 in the journal Cell. 2. In 2000, Ruvkun's group discovered another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the results were published in 1993 in two articles in the journal Cell; in 2000 Ruvkun's research group published the discovery of another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene.
Monthly nutrition support per TB patient under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana was raised on 7 October 2024 from Rs 500 to:
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Correct answer: A — Rs 1,000
PIB (7 Oct 2024): support under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana was increased from Rs 500 per month to Rs 1,000 per month for all TB patients.
Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS), announced on 7 October 2024, is for TB patients with:
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Correct answer: D — BMI below 18.5
PIB (7 Oct 2024): energy dense nutrition supplementation will be introduced for all patients with BMI<18.5, covering about 12 lakh underweight patients.
What additional allocation did the government approve for Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, as announced on 7 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 1,040 crore
PIB (7 Oct 2024): the Government approved an additional allocation of Rs 1040 crores to Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana; Rs 3,202 crore is the amount disbursed so far.
Under ADITI 2.0, launched at DefConnect 4.0 on 7 October 2024, iDEX winners can receive a grant of up to:
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Correct answer: C — Rs 25 crore
PIB (7 Oct 2024): the ADITI scheme offers a grant of up to Rs 25 crore to iDEX winners; DISC 12 offers grants up to Rs 1.50 crore.
Which new initiative was introduced in DISC 12 (Defence India Start-up Challenges), launched on 7 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA)
PIB (7 Oct 2024): DISC 12 introduces the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, with nine challenges for the medical needs of the Armed Forces.
According to Rajnath Singh at DefConnect 4.0, procurement orders worth how much have been placed for 26 iDEX products?
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Correct answer: B — Rs 1,000 crore
PIB (7 Oct 2024): Rs 1,000 crore procurement orders placed for 26 iDEX products: Shri Rajnath Singh.
According to Dr Jitendra Singh on 6 October 2024, how much has been earmarked for a Venture Fund for space start-ups?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 1,000 crore
PIB (6 Oct 2024): Rupees 1,000 crore has been earmarked for Venture Fund to Space StartUps, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
As per Dr Jitendra Singh in October 2024, India's space sector now has about how many start-ups?
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Correct answer: A — 200 plus
PIB (6 Oct 2024): 'From one digit we are now 200 plus StartUps in Space sector.'
Which rocket did Dr Jitendra Singh refer to as India's first private rocket?
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Correct answer: D — Vikram-S
PIB (6 Oct 2024): he referred to India's first private Rocket, Vikram-S.
Where was the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory inaugurated on 4 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Hanle, Ladakh
PIB (8 Oct 2024): the MACE Observatory was inaugurated by Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty at Hanle, Ladakh, on 4th October 2024.
At approximately what altitude is the MACE telescope located, making it the highest of its kind in the world?
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Correct answer: A — 4,300 m
PIB (8 Oct 2024): located at an altitude of ~4,300 m, MACE is the highest imaging Cherenkov telescope of its kind in the world.
Which organisation indigenously built the MACE telescope?
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Correct answer: D — Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
PIB (8 Oct 2024): the telescope is indigenously built by BARC with support from ECIL and other Indian industry partners.
The MACE telescope at Hanle is designed to observe:
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Correct answer: B — High-energy gamma rays
PIB (8 Oct 2024): the MACE telescope will observe high-energy gamma rays, contributing to understanding supernovae, black holes and gamma-ray bursts.
Consider the following about the MACE Observatory inaugurated on 4 October 2024: 1. It was inaugurated by Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. 2. It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary DAE and Chairman AEC, inaugurated it. Statement 2 is incorrect: PIB describes MACE as the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the highest of its kind in the world.
Where did DRDO conduct the flight-tests of the 4th-generation VSHORADS on 3 and 4 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Pokhran Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan
PIB (5 Oct 2024): DRDO conducted three flight-tests of the 4th-generation VSHORADS at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan on October 03 & 04, 2024.
Which DRDO laboratory designed and developed the VSHORADS?
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Correct answer: D — Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
PIB (5 Oct 2024): VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) with other DRDO laboratories and DcPPs.
How many flight-tests of VSHORADS did DRDO conduct on 3 and 4 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Three
PIB (5 Oct 2024): DRDO successfully conducted three flight-tests of the 4th-generation VSHORADS on October 03 & 04, 2024.
The Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) tested by DRDO in October 2024 is a:
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Correct answer: A — Man Portable Air Defence System
PIB (5 Oct 2024): VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System designed and developed indigenously by RCI.
Where will the 10th India International Science Festival (IISF-2024), the first in the Northeast, be held?
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Correct answer: D — IIT Guwahati
PIB (4 Oct 2024): the 10th edition of IISF will take place at IIT Guwahati from 30 November to 3 December.
Which edition of the India International Science Festival was announced for IIT Guwahati in November-December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
PIB (4 Oct 2024): the 10th edition of IISF will take place at IIT Guwahati from 30 November to 3 December.
According to DoT on 4 October 2024, about how many spoofed international calls with Indian numbers are being blocked daily by telecom operators?
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Correct answer: C — 45 lakh
PIB (4 Oct 2024): 45 lakh spoof international calls with Indian phone numbers are being blocked by TSPs daily (4.5 million, about one-third of spoofed calls).
Which facility did DoT advise citizens to use to report suspected spam and fraud calls, in its release of 4 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Chakshu
PIB (4 Oct 2024): citizens are advised to use 'Chakshu' to report spam calls.
How many Jan Aushadhi Kendras had been established across India, as reported on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 13,822
PIB (3 Oct 2024): 13,822 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established across the country.
What record monthly sales did Jan Aushadhi Kendras achieve in September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Rs 200 crore
PIB (3 Oct 2024): in September 2024 the Kendras achieved record sales of Rs 200 crore, against Rs 141 crore in September 2023 (42% growth).
CDSCO became an Affiliate Member of which international body, as announced on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)
PIB (3 Oct 2024): CDSCO under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare becomes Affiliate Member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum.
Where was the 26th Session of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum held in September 2024, after which CDSCO received Affiliate Membership?
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Correct answer: B — Seattle, USA
PIB (3 Oct 2024): after review of India's application and discussions with senior CDSCO officers during the 26th Session of IMDRF held in September 2024 at Seattle, Washington, USA, CDSCO received approval as an Affiliate Member.