APSC (Assam) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At the final plenary of INC-5 on plastic pollution in Busan on 1 December 2024, what did India say was required to support developing countries?
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Correct answer: D — A stand-alone dedicated Multilateral Fund
PIB (1 Dec 2024): India said a stand-alone dedicated Multilateral Fund is required to provide financial resources to developing countries for meeting incremental costs of their compliance obligations.
Consider the following statements about the 236th CBT meeting of EPFO (30 November 2024): 1. It amended paragraph 60(2)(b) of the EPF Scheme, 1952 so that interest is paid up to the date of settlement. 2. It was informed that the limit for auto claim settlement had been raised to ₹2 lakh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Labour): the CBT amended para 60(2)(b) so that interest is paid up to the date of settlement (1 is correct). The auto claim settlement limit was extended to ₹1 lakh from ₹50,000, not ₹2 lakh (2 is wrong).
As ratified by EPFO's CBT on 30 November 2024, what are the minimum and maximum benefits under the extended EDLI scheme?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.5 lakh and ₹7 lakh
PIB (Labour): the ratified EDLI extension provides a minimum benefit of Rs. 2.5 lakh and a maximum of up to Rs. 7 lakh.
The first pilot of EPFO's Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS), completed in October 2024, was carried out in which places?
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Correct answer: B — Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar
PIB (Labour): the first CPPS pilot was completed in October 2024 in Karnal, Jammu and Srinagar; a second pilot covered 20 more Regional Offices in November.
By what date did TRAI direct access providers to ensure PE–TM chain declaration by all Principal Entities and Telemarketers, as announced on 30 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 10 December 2024
PIB (TRAI): access providers were directed to ensure PE–TM chain declaration by all PEs and TMs latest by 10 December 2024.
Under TRAI's Direction of 20 August 2024, commercial messages had to be traceable from senders to recipients with effect from which date?
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Correct answer: A — 1 November 2024
PIB (TRAI): the Direction of 20 August 2024 mandated that all commercial messages must be traceable from 1 November 2024.
By CBDT Circular No. 18/2024 of 30 November 2024, the due date for filing ITRs for AY 2024-25 by assessees required to furnish a Section 92E report was extended to which date?
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Correct answer: D — 15 December 2024
PIB (Finance): the due date, originally 30 November 2024, was extended to 15 December 2024 by CBDT Circular No. 18/2024 dated 30.11.2024.
The ITR due-date extension announced by CBDT on 30 November 2024 applies to assessees required to furnish a report referred to in which section of the Income-tax Act, 1961?
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Correct answer: B — Section 92E
PIB (Finance): the extension applies to assessees required to furnish a report referred to in section 92E.
According to NSO estimates released on 29 November 2024, India's real GDP grew by how much in Q2 (July–September) of 2024-25?
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Correct answer: B — 5.4%
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP grew 5.4% in Q2 of 2024-25, against 8.1% in Q2 of 2023-24. 6.0% was the H1 growth.
Consider the following statements about the Q2 2024-25 GDP estimates: 1. Manufacturing grew by 2.2% in Q2 of 2024-25. 2. Agriculture and allied sector grew by 3.5%, after growth of 0.4% to 2.0% in the previous four quarters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoSPI): manufacturing grew 2.2%, and agriculture bounced back to 3.5% after sub-optimal growth of 0.4% to 2.0% in the previous four quarters. Both are correct.
What was the growth rate of nominal GDP (GDP at current prices) in Q2 of 2024-25, as estimated on 29 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 8.0%
PIB (MoSPI): nominal GDP in Q2 of 2024-25 was ₹76.60 lakh crore against ₹70.90 lakh crore, a growth of 8.0%. 8.9% was H1 nominal growth.
Among the nine One Stop Centres approved for Indian women in distress abroad, the two OSCs without shelter homes are located in which cities?
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Correct answer: A — Toronto and Singapore
PIB (MWCD): seven OSCs with shelter homes are in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah & Riyadh); two OSCs without shelter homes are in Toronto and Singapore.
How many One Stop Centres for Indian women facing distress abroad were approved by the Empowered Committee of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, as stated on 29 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 9
PIB (MWCD): proposals of the MEA for 9 One Stop Centres for Indian women facing distress abroad were approved by the Empowered Committee.
What is the name of the mascot of the first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, unveiled on 29 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Purvi
PIB (DoNER): 'Purvi', the mascot of the Mahotsav, was introduced at the curtain raiser; she is a young girl representing all eight states of Northeast India.
Where and when was the first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav scheduled to be held?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 6–8 December 2024
PIB (DoNER): the three-day festival was to take place at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 6 to 8 December 2024.
What was the size of the loan signed by India and the Asian Development Bank on 29 November 2024 for 'Building India's Clean Plant Programme'?
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Correct answer: A — $98 million
PIB (Finance): the Government of India and ADB signed a $98 million loan for the Building India's Clean Plant Programme.
Through which bodies will the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implement the ADB-supported Clean Plant Programme project?
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Correct answer: B — National Horticulture Board and ICAR
PIB (Finance): the project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
In the joint Indian Navy–Sri Lanka Navy anti-narcotics operation announced on 29 November 2024, approximately how much of which narcotic was seized?
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Correct answer: B — About 500 kg of crystal meth
PIB (Navy): both boats were boarded on 24 and 25 November 2024, leading to the seizure of approximately 500 kg of narcotics (crystal meth).
Indian Navy surveillance in the November 2024 anti-narcotics operation with Sri Lanka was based on inputs from which centre located in Gurugram?
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Correct answer: D — Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
PIB (Navy): surveillance by LRMP aircraft and RPA was based on inputs from the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region), Gurugram.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries grow in October 2024 (provisional), as released on 29 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 3.1%
PIB (Commerce): the ICI increased by 3.1% (provisional) in October 2024 over October 2023. 4.1% is the April–October cumulative growth and 6.3% the final July 2024 figure.
Which of the eight core industries carries the highest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: D — Petroleum Refinery Products
PIB (Commerce): weights are Refinery Products 28.04%, Electricity 19.85%, Steel 17.92% and Coal 10.33%.
Officers from which of the following countries did NOT take part in NCGG's 1st Capacity Building Programme for Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (18–29 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Indonesia
PIB (DARPG): the 30 officers came from Sri Lanka, Oman, Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, Malaysia, Cambodia, Maldives and Myanmar. Indonesia was not listed.
Where was NCGG's 1st Capacity Building Programme for civil servants of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region conducted?
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Correct answer: C — Mussoorie and New Delhi
PIB (DARPG): the two-week programme, held from 18 to 29 November 2024, was conducted in Mussoorie and New Delhi.
The Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND) released at the 18th NCB International Conference on 29 November 2024 is an Indian Certified Reference Material of which standard?
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Correct answer: C — Gypsum
PIB (Commerce/DPIIT): the BND released is an Indian Certified Reference Material of Gypsum Standard produced by NCB with NPL.
How many mineral blocks were offered in the first-ever tranche of offshore mineral block auctions launched on 28 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 13
PIB (Mines): the first tranche includes 13 mineral blocks spanning the Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.
The blocks in the first tranche of offshore mineral auctions (November 2024) are located in which seas?
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Correct answer: B — Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea
PIB (Mines): the 13 blocks span the Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.
Consider the following statements about the first offshore mineral auction tranche: 1. The blocks feature construction sand, lime-mud and polymetallic nodules and crusts. 2. The Geological Survey of India has identified about six lakh sq km of offshore area with potential for offshore mining. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Mines): the tranche features construction sand, lime-mud and polymetallic nodules and crusts, and the Mines Secretary said GSI has identified about six lakh sq km of offshore area with mining potential. Both are correct.
Where was the India–UK Statement of Intent on electric propulsion systems for the Indian Navy signed on 28 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Portsmouth
PIB (MoD): the SoI was signed between the defence ministries of India and the UK in Portsmouth on 28 November 2024.
Under the India–UK electric propulsion partnership, which planned Indian Navy vessels are envisaged to have a Full Electric Propulsion System?
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Correct answer: B — Landing Platform Docks
PIB (MoD): the Landing Platform Docks, planned to be built at an Indian shipyard, are envisaged to have a Full Electric Propulsion System.
How much wheat did the Centre decide on 28 November 2024 that FCI would offload under OMSS (Domestic) 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 25 LMT
PIB (Food & PD): FCI is to offload 25 LMT of wheat in the open market under OMSS (D) 2024 through e-auction.
Under the OMSS (Domestic) 2024 policy, what is the reserve price fixed for wheat of Fair Average Quality (FAQ)?
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,325 per quintal
PIB (Food & PD): the reserve price is ₹2,325/quintal for wheat (FAQ) and ₹2,300/quintal for wheat (URS), up to 31 March 2025.
The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on a plastic pollution treaty, held in November 2024, took place in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Busan
PIB (MoEFCC): India participated in the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan.
At INC-5, India said the new plastic pollution instrument should not overlap with the mandates of which multilateral environmental agreements?
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Correct answer: A — Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
PIB (MoEFCC): India highlighted that there should be no overlap with the mandates of MEAs such as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and bodies like the WTO.
The Indian Army's 'Eklavya' online learning platform, launched on 28 November 2024, was developed at zero cost through which institute?
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Correct answer: A — BISAG-N, Gandhinagar
PIB (Army): the platform was developed at zero cost through the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), Gandhinagar.
What is the Indian Army's theme for the year 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Year of Technology Absorption
PIB (Army): the Eklavya launch aligns with the Indian Army's theme for 2024 as the 'Year of Technology Absorption'.
Who launched the national 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' campaign in New Delhi on 27 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Annapurna Devi
PIB (MWCD): Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi launched the campaign; MoS Savitri Thakur was also present.
Consider the following statements cited at the launch of 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat': 1. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, marriages of girls under 18 and boys under 21 are prohibited. 2. The sex ratio at birth improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MWCD): the Minister cited both — the PCMA 2006 age limits (girls under 18, boys under 21) and the improvement in sex ratio at birth from 918 to 930. Both are correct.
The 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' launch coincided with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This global campaign runs between which two days?
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Correct answer: A — 25 November to 10 December
PIB (MWCD): the 16 Days of Activism run from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
What was India's rank in the Network Readiness Index 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 49th
PIB (DoT): India improved by eleven slots to 49th in NRI 2024, against 60th in NRI 2023.
Consider the following statements about India in the Network Readiness Index 2024: 1. India ranked 1st in 'AI scientific publications', 'AI talent concentration' and 'ICT services exports'. 2. India ranked 1st among lower-middle-income countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (DoT): India was 1st in those three indicators (1 is correct), but ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries, after Vietnam (2 is wrong).
The 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart, inaugurated on 27 November 2024, was held at which place?
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Correct answer: D — Kaziranga, Assam
PIB (Tourism): the 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga, Assam, was inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The 'Moidams of Charaideo', celebrated at the 12th International Tourism Mart, were declared India's which UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 43rd
PIB (Tourism): in July 2024, the 'Moidams of Charaideo' were declared the 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site from India.
India's proposed financial mechanism for the plastic pollution treaty at INC-5 is modelled on the fund operating under which international agreement?
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Correct answer: D — Montreal Protocol
PIB (MoEFCC): the model proposed by India has been in operation under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Consider the following statements about India's multilateral fund proposal at INC-5: 1. The fund would provide loan-based finance to developing countries. 2. It proposes a subsidiary body with equal representation of developed and developing countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (MoEFCC): the proposed fund would provide grant-based (not loan-based) finance — 1 is wrong. It provides for a subsidiary body with equal representation of developed and developing countries — 2 is correct.
How many coal mines were successfully auctioned in the 10th round of commercial coal mine auctions, as announced on 27 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 9
PIB (Coal): a total of nine coal mines were successfully auctioned — three fully explored and six partially explored.
Since commercial coal mining began in 2020, how many coal mines had been successfully auctioned as of November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 113
PIB (Coal): since the inception of commercial coal mining in 2020, 113 coal mines have been auctioned with a capacity of 257.60 MTPA.
According to Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024, released on 26 November 2024, what was India's milk production in 2023-24?
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Correct answer: D — 239.30 million tonnes
PIB (DAHD): milk production in 2023-24 was 239.30 million tonnes, up 3.78% over 2022-23; it was 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15.
As per BAHS 2024, which State had the largest share of India's milk production in 2023-24?
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Correct answer: A — Uttar Pradesh
PIB (DAHD): Uttar Pradesh led with 16.21%, followed by Rajasthan (14.51%), Madhya Pradesh (8.91%), Gujarat (7.65%) and Maharashtra (6.71%).
Consider the following statements based on BAHS 2024: 1. Andhra Pradesh had the largest share of India's egg production in 2023-24. 2. Rajasthan had the largest share of India's wool production in 2023-24. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (DAHD): Andhra Pradesh led egg production with 17.85% and Rajasthan led wool production with 47.53%. Both are correct.
What total amount did the High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah approve for disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects (announced 26 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,115.67 crore
PIB (MHA): the HLC approved ₹1,115.67 crore — ₹1,000 crore for landslide mitigation and ₹115.67 crore for Civil Defence training.
The ₹1,000-crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation project approved by the HLC in November 2024 is to be funded from which fund?
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Correct answer: C — National Disaster Mitigation Fund
PIB (MHA): the landslide proposal was considered for funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
Consider the following statements about the HLC approvals announced on 26 November 2024: 1. The National Landslide Risk Mitigation project covers 15 States. 2. The Civil Defence training and capacity-building project covers only the North Eastern States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MHA): the landslide project covers 15 States, but the ₹115.67-crore Civil Defence project covers all States and UTs. Only 1 is correct.
Under which edition of the nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign did DLCs cross the one crore mark by 26 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — DLC Campaign 3.0
PIB (DoPPW): the milestone was reached in the ongoing nationwide DLC Campaign 3.0, held from 1 to 30 November 2024.
Of the one crore Digital Life Certificates generated by 26 November 2024 in DLC Campaign 3.0, roughly what share was generated through Face Authentication?
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Correct answer: B — More than 30%
PIB (DoPPW): 30,34,218 DLCs, i.e. more than 30%, were generated through Face Authentication.
How many startups did Union Minister Jitendra Singh announce on 26 November 2024 as selected for support under the National Quantum Mission and NM-ICPS?
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Correct answer: D — Eight
PIB (DST): eight startups were selected under the National Quantum Mission and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems.
Among the startups selected under the National Quantum Mission in November 2024, Bengaluru-based QPiAI India is working on:
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Correct answer: A — A superconducting quantum computer
PIB (DST): QPiAI India is building a superconducting quantum computer; QuPrayog (Pune) works on optical atomic clocks, Pristine Diamonds (Ahmedabad) on diamond materials and Dimira Technologies on cryogenic cables.
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty, whose Final Act India signed (announced 26 November 2024), was adopted by member states of which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — World Intellectual Property Organization
PIB (Commerce): the Design Law Treaty was adopted by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) after nearly two decades of negotiations.
While announcing India's signing of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty Final Act, the Commerce Ministry said design registrations in India over the past decade had:
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Correct answer: A — Tripled
PIB (Commerce): design registrations in India have tripled over the past decade, with domestic filings up 120% in the last two years.
Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) technology, recognised by the CEA in November 2024, generates electricity mainly by using:
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Correct answer: C — Kinetic energy of flowing water with practically zero head
PIB (Power): SHKT uses the kinetic energy of flowing water with practically zero potential head, unlike conventional units that rely on dams, weirs or barrages.
What generation cost per unit did the CEA cite for Surface Hydrokinetic Turbines when recognising the technology in November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2-3 per unit
PIB (Power): Surface Hydrokinetic turbines are easy to install and cost-effective, with a generation cost of ₹2-3 per unit.
On 26 November 2024, the Ministry of Coal invited public comments, by 27 December 2024, on which draft Bill?
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Correct answer: C — Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
PIB (Coal): the ministry sought comments on the draft Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, with a deadline of 27 December 2024.
DPIIT's two-year MoU with WinZO, announced on 26 November 2024, aims to support which sector?
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Correct answer: B — Interactive entertainment and gaming
PIB (DPIIT): the MoU with WinZO, India's largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform, aims to support over 2,000 interactive entertainment startups, innovators and students.