BPSC Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In his departure statement of 16 November 2024, PM Modi said he would attend the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil in which capacity?
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Correct answer: B — As a Troika member
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said he would attend the 19th G20 Summit as a Troika member.
PM Modi's November 2024 visit to Guyana was described as the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over how many years?
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Correct answer: D — 50 years
PIB (PMO): the departure statement said it would be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in over 50 years.
Which summit did PM Modi say he would join in Guyana during his November 2024 visit?
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Correct answer: C — 2nd India-CARICOM Summit
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said he would join Caribbean leaders for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.
As per WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, what is India's global rank in patent applications?
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Correct answer: A — 6th
PIB: India ranks 6th globally in patent applications, with 64,480 filings in 2023.
As per WIPI 2024, what share of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents, the first time above half?
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Correct answer: D — 55.2%
PIB: for the first time, more than half (55.2%) of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents.
Consider the following about India in WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024: 1. India had 64,480 patent filings in 2023. 2. Patents granted in India in 2023 fell compared with the previous year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: India had 64,480 filings in 2023, and patents granted rose 149.4% (not fell). So only 1 is correct.
In the India-Japan Memorandum of Implementation signed on 15 November 2024, what does UNICORN stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Unified Complex Radio Antenna
PIB (Defence): UNICORN is the Unified Complex Radio Antenna, a mast with integrated communication systems that improves stealth.
Which Indian company will co-develop the UNICORN mast with Japanese collaboration?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Ltd
PIB (Defence): the UNICORN masts will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited in India with Japanese collaboration.
Consider the following about the UNICORN Memorandum of Implementation (November 2024): 1. When implemented, it will be the first case of co-development / co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan. 2. It was signed in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Defence): it will be the first India-Japan defence co-development / co-production case, and it was signed at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, not New Delhi. So only 1 is correct.
On Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2024 at Jamui, PM Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects worth over:
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Correct answer: C — ₹6,640 crore
PIB (PMO): projects worth over ₹6,640 crore were inaugurated and their foundation stones laid at Jamui.
To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, PM Modi announced that what would be built in tribal-dominated districts?
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Correct answer: A — Birsa Munda Tribal Gaurav Upvans
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said Birsa Munda Tribal Gaurav Upvans will be built in tribal-dominated districts of the country.
Consider the following about Janjatiya Gaurav Divas 2024: 1. PM Modi's main event that day was held at Ulihatu. 2. PM Modi unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (PMO): the 2024 event was at Jamui, Bihar; PM Modi was at Ulihatu on the previous year's Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. He unveiled a commemorative coin and stamp. So only 2 is correct.
Under the first trilateral power transaction inaugurated on 15 November 2024, Nepal is to export up to how much power to Bangladesh through the Indian grid?
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Correct answer: D — 40 MW
PIB (Power): India facilitated export of up to 40 MW from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.
The tripartite power sales agreement for Nepal-to-Bangladesh power trade through India was signed on 3 October 2024 at:
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Correct answer: A — Kathmandu
PIB (Power): the agreement between NVVN, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed on 3 October 2024 in Kathmandu.
Consider the following about the first trilateral power transaction (November 2024): 1. Power flows from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid. 2. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam is a party to the tripartite power sales agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Power): both are correct; the agreement is between NVVN, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board.
Who designed the commemorative postage stamp on the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda released on 15 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Sankha Samanta
PIB (Communications): the stamp was designed by Sankha Samanta.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda led the Ulgulan (Great Rebellion) during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 1899-1900
PIB (Communications): Birsa Munda led the Ulgulan from 1899 to 1900.
At CoP29 in November 2024, India said developed countries must provide and mobilise at least how much climate finance every year till 2030?
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Correct answer: B — USD 1.3 trillion
PIB (MoEFCC): India said developed countries need to commit to provide and mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion every year till 2030.
On whose behalf did India deliver a statement at the High-Level Ministerial on Climate Finance at CoP29 on 14 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Like-Minded Developing Countries
PIB (MoEFCC): India intervened on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs).
Consider the following about India's LMDC statement at CoP29 (14 November 2024): 1. It was delivered by India's lead negotiator Naresh Pal Gangwar. 2. It proposed turning the New Collective Quantified Goal into an investment goal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoEFCC): Naresh Pal Gangwar delivered it, and the statement said the NCQG cannot be changed into an investment goal. So only 1 is correct.
What was the annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 2.36%
PIB (Commerce): WPI inflation was 2.36% (provisional) in October 2024. 0.97% was the month-on-month change.
What is the base year of India's Wholesale Price Index used for the October 2024 data?
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Correct answer: C — 2011-12
PIB (Commerce): the WPI release for October 2024 uses base year 2011-12.
By what percentage did India's merchandise exports grow in October 2024 over October 2023?
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Correct answer: D — 17.23%
PIB (Commerce): merchandise exports were USD 39.20 billion in October 2024 against USD 33.43 billion in October 2023, growth of 17.23%.
India's overall exports (merchandise and services) for April-October 2024 were estimated at:
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Correct answer: A — USD 468.27 billion
PIB (Commerce): overall exports for April-October 2024 were estimated at USD 468.27 billion, against USD 436.48 billion a year earlier.
Which DRDO laboratory designed and developed the precision-strike (guided) variant of the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System?
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Correct answer: B — Armament Research and Development Establishment
PIB (Defence): the guided Pinaka was designed and developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, with RCI, DRDL, HEMRL and PXE.
Consider the following about the Guided Pinaka PSQR validation trials (November 2024): 1. The flight tests were conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges. 2. Twelve rockets from each production agency were tested. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Defence): both are correct.
What does PAIR stand for in the programme announced by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation in November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research
PIB (S&T): PAIR is the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research programme.
In the first phase of ANRF's PAIR programme, hub institutions will include institutions within the top how many of the NIRF overall ranking?
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Correct answer: D — 25
PIB (S&T): hubs will be institutions in the top 25 NIRF overall ranking, plus Institutions of National Importance in the top 50.
Operation Dronagiri, launched on 14 November 2024, is a pilot project under which policy?
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Correct answer: B — National Geospatial Policy 2022
PIB (S&T): Operation Dronagiri is a pilot project under the National Geospatial Policy 2022.
Which of the following states is NOT in the first phase of Operation Dronagiri?
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Correct answer: C — Kerala
PIB (S&T): the first phase covers Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Kerala is not included.
Children's Day in India, observed on 14 November, marks the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. In which year was he born?
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Correct answer: C — 1889
NDTV and Mathrubhumi: Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889; Children's Day marks his birth anniversary.
Before it was moved to 14 November in 1964, on which date did India observe Children's Day?
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Correct answer: D — 20 November
NDTV and Mathrubhumi: India earlier observed Children's Day on 20 November, the UN's Universal Children's Day, and shifted it to 14 November in 1964.
In November 2024, the government approved the first all-women battalion of which force?
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Correct answer: B — CISF
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah said the government approved the first all-women battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
According to the MHA in November 2024, women make up what share of the CISF at present?
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Correct answer: C — More than 7%
PIB (MHA): the number of women in CISF is more than 7% at present.
The proposal for an all-women CISF battalion was initiated on the Home Minister's direction at which CISF Day function?
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Correct answer: B — 53rd
PIB (MHA): the proposal was initiated on Amit Shah's direction at the 53rd CISF Day function.
AIIMS Darbhanga, whose foundation stone was laid on 13 November 2024, will be which AIIMS in Bihar?
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Correct answer: B — Second
PIB (MoHFW): AIIMS Darbhanga will be the second AIIMS in Bihar after AIIMS Patna.
At Darbhanga on 13 November 2024, the PM said how many more medical seats are planned over the next five years?
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Correct answer: C — 75,000
PIB (MoHFW): 1 lakh medical seats were added in the last 10 years, with plans for another 75,000 over the next five years.
While issuing coaching-sector advertisement guidelines in November 2024, the CCPA said it had imposed penalties on how many coaching institutes?
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Correct answer: B — 18
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA took suo motu action against 45 coaching centres and imposed penalties of Rs 54,60,000 on 18 institutes.
Who was the Chief Commissioner of the Central Consumer Protection Authority when it issued the coaching guidelines in November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Nidhi Khare
PIB (Consumer Affairs): Smt Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner, CCPA, shared details of the guidelines.
As of October 2024, India's renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity stood at:
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Correct answer: D — 203.18 GW
PIB (MNRE): according to the CEA, RE-based generation capacity stood at 203.18 GW as of October 2024.
As of October 2024, renewable energy made up what share of India's total installed electricity capacity?
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Correct answer: B — More than 46.3%
PIB (MNRE): renewable energy now constitutes more than 46.3% of total capacity (203.18 GW of 452.69 GW).
Which source led India's renewable energy capacity as of October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Solar power
PIB (MNRE): solar power leads with 92.12 GW, followed by wind power with 47.72 GW.
Development projects worth how much were launched by the PM in Darbhanga, Bihar on 13 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹12,100 crore
PIB (PMO): the PM inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and dedicated projects worth Rs 12,100 crore in Bihar.
Consider the following points made by the PM at Darbhanga on 13 November 2024: 1. The Makhana Research Center has been given the status of a national institution. 2. Pali has been given the status of a classical language. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (PMO): the PM noted the national institution status for the Makhana Research Center (and the GI tag for makhana) and classical language status for Pali. Both are correct.
Which organisation conducted the maiden 'Antariksha Abhyas-2024' (11–13 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Defence Space Agency
PIB (MoD): the Defence Space Agency of HQ Integrated Defence Staff conducted Antariksha Abhyas-2024.
'Antariksha Abhyas-2024' was what kind of exercise?
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Correct answer: B — A Space Table Top Exercise
PIB (MoD): Antariksha Abhyas-2024 was a Space Table Top Exercise.
Consider the following about 'Antariksha Abhyas-2024': 1. It was the third edition of the exercise. 2. It was conducted by ISRO. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
PIB (MoD): it was the maiden edition and was conducted by the Defence Space Agency of HQ IDS. Neither statement is correct.
The Union Cabinet approved the Mines Ministry's MoU with the International Energy Agency on critical minerals on:
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Correct answer: C — 3 October 2024
PIB (Mines): approval for signing the MoU was accorded by the Union Cabinet on 3 October 2024; it was signed on 13 November 2024.
Who signed the November 2024 critical minerals MoU with India on behalf of the International Energy Agency?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Fatih Birol
PIB (Mines): the MoU was signed by Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao and IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol.
According to WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, where does India rank globally for patent applications?
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Correct answer: C — Sixth
PIB (Commerce): India ranks sixth globally for patents with 64,480 applications.
By how much did India's patent applications grow in 2023, the fastest among the top 20 origins, as per WIPI 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 15.7%
PIB (Commerce): India recorded the fastest growth in patent applications (+15.7%) in 2023 among the top 20 origins. 36.4% is design growth, 6.1% trademark growth and 55.2% the resident share.
In WIPI 2024, India ranked where globally in trademark filings?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth
PIB (Commerce): India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase in 2023. (Its trademark office holds the second-largest number of active registrations.)
All-India year-on-year CPI inflation for October 2024, released on 12 November 2024, was:
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Correct answer: A — 6.21%
PIB (MoSPI): year-on-year CPI inflation for October 2024 is 6.21%; 6.68% is the rural rate.
Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) inflation for October 2024 (provisional) was:
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Correct answer: D — 10.87%
PIB (MoSPI): all-India CFPI inflation for October 2024 is 10.87% (provisional); 11.09% is the urban rate.
What was the gross NPA ratio of public sector banks as of September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 3.12%
PIB (Finance): gross and net NPA stood at 3.12% and 0.63% as on September 2024.
What was the combined net profit of public sector banks in H1 FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — ₹85,520 crore
PIB (Finance): net profit for H1 FY25 was ₹85,520 crore (25.6% YoY growth); ₹1,50,023 crore was the operating profit.
As of September 2024, the CRAR of public sector banks was 15.43% against a regulatory requirement of:
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Correct answer: D — 11.5%
PIB (Finance): CRAR stood at 15.43% in September 2024 against the regulatory requirement of 11.5%.
As per Quick Estimates released on 12 November 2024, India's IIP grew by how much in September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 3.1%
PIB (MoSPI): the IIP growth rate for September 2024 is 3.1%, against (-)0.1% in August 2024.
In September 2024, the manufacturing sector of the IIP grew by:
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Correct answer: C — 3.9%
PIB (MoSPI): mining, manufacturing and electricity grew 0.2%, 3.9% and 0.5% respectively in September 2024.
The Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Gaya, Bihar, for which agreements were signed on 12 November 2024, is a node of which industrial corridor?
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Correct answer: D — Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor
PIB (Commerce): IMC Gaya is a node under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC).
What area will the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Gaya cover?
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Correct answer: B — 1,670 acres
PIB (Commerce): IMC Gaya will cover 1,670 acres.
Consider the following about IMC Gaya: 1. It has an investment potential of ₹16,524 crore. 2. It is expected to create about 1,09,185 jobs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Commerce): IMC Gaya has an investment potential of INR 16,524 crore and is expected to create approximately 1,09,185 jobs. Both are correct.
Scientists from which institute discovered the new plant species Dicliptera polymorpha in the northern Western Ghats (announced November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
PIB (DST): the discovery was made by a team led by Dr Mandar Datar of the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under DST.
Consider the following about Dicliptera polymorpha: 1. It is fire-resilient (pyrophytic) and shows a second burst of flowering after grassland fires. 2. It was discovered in the Eastern Ghats. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (DST): the species is pyrophytic with a dual-blooming pattern, but it was found in the northern Western Ghats, not the Eastern Ghats. So only 1 is correct.
In November 2024, PM Modi congratulated Dr Navin Ramgoolam on his election victory as Prime Minister-elect of which country?
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Correct answer: D — Mauritius
PIB (PMO): the PM congratulated Prime Minister-elect Dr Navin Ramgoolam on his historic election victory in Mauritius.
Which DRDO laboratory developed indigenous processes for 4-inch Silicon Carbide wafers and GaN HEMT-based MMICs (announced November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Solid State Physics Laboratory
PIB (MoD): the Solid State Physics Laboratory, a DRDO laboratory, developed these processes.
What is the diameter of the indigenous Silicon Carbide wafers developed by DRDO's SSPL?
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Correct answer: D — 4 inches
PIB (MoD): SSPL developed processes for growing and manufacturing 4-inch diameter SiC wafers.
Where has limited production of indigenous GaN-on-SiC MMICs been established?
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Correct answer: A — GAETEC, Hyderabad
PIB (MoD): indigenous GaN-on-SiC MMICs with limited production capability have been established at GAETEC, Hyderabad.
Denis Manturov, who called on PM Modi on 11 November 2024, holds which post?
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Correct answer: B — First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia
PIB (PMO): Denis Manturov is the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
While meeting Denis Manturov, PM Modi referred to decisions taken during his recent meetings with President Putin in which cities?
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Correct answer: B — Moscow and Kazan
PIB (PMO): the PM welcomed efforts to implement decisions taken during his recent visits and meetings with President Putin in Moscow and Kazan.
In November 2024, the High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah approved fire-services projects worth how much for Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal?
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Correct answer: D — ₹725.62 crore
PIB (MHA): the committee approved three projects of ₹725.62 crore; ₹5,000 crore is the NDRF allocation for the scheme and ₹2,542.12 crore the earlier approvals for 15 states.
The Centre's ₹5,000 crore allocation for 'Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States' is under which fund?
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Correct answer: B — National Disaster Response Fund
PIB (MHA): the Central Government has allocated ₹5,000 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the scheme.
Of the three states in the November 2024 fire-services approval, which received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: A — West Bengal
PIB (MHA): West Bengal ₹376.76 crore, Odisha ₹201.10 crore and Chhattisgarh ₹147.76 crore.