CDS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
India's cumulative exports (merchandise and services) during April–December 2024 were estimated at about:
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Correct answer: C — USD 602.64 billion
PIB (Commerce): April–December 2024 total exports were estimated at USD 602.64 billion, up 6.03%.
By what percentage did India's merchandise exports grow in April–December 2024 over the same period of 2023?
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Correct answer: A — 1.6%
PIB: Merchandise exports were USD 321.71 billion vs USD 316.65 billion, a growth of 1.6%.
Consider the following statements about India's trade data released on 15 January 2025: 1. Total exports in April–December 2024 grew by 6.03%. 2. Non-petroleum exports in December 2024 were USD 33.09 billion. 3. Merchandise exports in April–December 2024 declined over the previous year. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Merchandise exports rose 1.6%, so statement 3 is wrong; 1 and 2 match the PIB release.
What is the total prize money of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 launched by MeitY on 15 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — ₹6.85 crore
PIB: CSGC 2.0 carries ₹6.85 crore, up from ₹3.2 crore in the first edition.
Which organisation is implementing the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0?
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Correct answer: B — Data Security Council of India (DSCI)
PIB: CSGC 2.0 is being implemented by the Data Security Council of India.
Consider the following statements about the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0: 1. Participants work on six problem statement areas. 2. The IPR of the product developed is owned by the startup. 3. Registration was open until 14 February 2025. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
PIB: six problem areas, IPR owned by the startup and registration from 15 January to 14 February 2025; all three are correct.
Under TRAI's draft tariff order of 15 January 2025, the broadband (FTTH) tariff for PDOs under PM-WANI should not exceed:
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Correct answer: C — Twice the retail FTTH tariff of corresponding capacity
PIB: TRAI proposed that the PDO tariff should not exceed twice the retail broadband (FTTH) tariff of corresponding capacity.
In the PM-WANI scheme, what does 'PDO' stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Public Data Office
PIB: PDOs are Public Data Offices that set up public Wi-Fi access points under PM-WANI.
'Mission Mausam', launched on 14 January 2025, aims to make India a:
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Correct answer: D — Weather-ready and Climate-smart nation
PIB (MoES): Mission Mausam aims at transforming India into a 'Weather-ready and Climate-smart' nation.
On which occasion was 'Mission Mausam' launched by the Prime Minister?
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Correct answer: A — 150th Foundation Day of IMD
PIB (PMO): PM launched Mission Mausam at IMD's 150th Foundation Day celebrations on 14 January 2025.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 2.37%
PIB (Commerce): WPI inflation was 2.37% in December 2024; 1.89% was November and 8.89% the Food Index.
Which major group of the WPI recorded negative annual inflation in December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Fuel & Power
PIB: Fuel & Power inflation was -3.79% in December 2024.
Consider the following statements about the WPI data for December 2024: 1. Manufactured Products carry the largest weight in the WPI. 2. The base year of the WPI series is 2011-12. 3. WPI inflation in December 2024 was lower than in November 2024. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB: Manufactured Products weigh 64.23% and the base year is 2011-12; December (2.37%) was higher than November (1.89%), so 3 is wrong.
As on 14 January 2025, the area sown under wheat in the rabi season was about:
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Correct answer: C — 320 lakh hectares
PIB (Agriculture): wheat coverage was 320 lakh ha against 315.63 lakh ha a year earlier.
As per rabi sowing data as on 14 January 2025, which crop group had a lower area than in the corresponding period of the previous year?
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Correct answer: D — Oilseeds
PIB: oilseeds were at 96.82 lakh ha vs 101.80 lakh ha; wheat, pulses and coarse cereals were all higher.
By how much did India's coal imports decline during April–October 2024 compared with the same period of the previous year?
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Correct answer: B — 3.1%
PIB (Coal): imports fell 3.1% to 149.39 MT; 8.8% was the non-regulated sector and 19.5% blending imports.
What was India's coal production during April–October 2024, as per the Ministry of Coal?
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Correct answer: C — 537.57 MT
PIB: coal output rose 6.04% to 537.57 MT from 506.93 MT.
Which edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha closed its registrations on 14 January 2025 with over 3.5 crore applications?
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Correct answer: B — 8th
PIB (MoE): registration for the 8th edition of PPC concluded with over 3.5 crore applications.
On which portal were registrations for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 hosted?
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Correct answer: A — MyGov.in
PIB: the online registration for PPC 2025 was hosted on the MyGov.in portal from 14 December 2024 to 14 January 2025.
CSIR-NIScPR was formed by merging which two CSIR institutes?
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Correct answer: B — CSIR-NISTADS and CSIR-NISCAIR
PIB: NIScPR was formed four years ago after merging CSIR-NISTADS and CSIR-NISCAIR.
The STIiG-2025 international conference, inaugurated on 14 January 2025, was organised by CSIR-NIScPR on which theme?
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Correct answer: D — Aligning STI Indicators for Effective R&D Governance
PIB: the conference theme was 'Aligning Science-Technology-Innovation (STI) Indicators for Effective R&D Governance'.
What was India's total installed renewable energy capacity as of December 2024, as per MNRE?
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Correct answer: B — 209.44 GW
PIB (MNRE): total RE capacity reached 209.44 GW, up 15.84% from 180.80 GW; 97.86 GW was solar alone.
How much renewable energy capacity did India add in calendar year 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 28.64 GW
PIB: 28.64 GW was added in 2024 (13.05 GW in 2023); 24.54 GW was solar and 3.42 GW wind.
As of December 2024, India's installed solar power capacity stood at about:
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Correct answer: D — 97.86 GW
PIB (MNRE): solar capacity rose 33.47% from 73.32 GW to 97.86 GW; 48.16 GW is wind and 209.44 GW total RE.
What was India's All India CPI (combined) inflation rate (provisional) for December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 5.22%
PIB (MoSPI): CPI inflation was 5.22% in December 2024; 4.58% was urban and 8.39% food (CFPI).
Consider the following statements about CPI data for December 2024: 1. Rural inflation was higher than urban inflation. 2. The housing index is compiled for the urban sector only. 3. Food inflation (CFPI) was above 10%. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB: rural 5.76% vs urban 4.58%, and housing is urban-only; CFPI was 8.39%, so statement 3 is wrong.
How many new watershed development projects were approved under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 on 13 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 56
PIB (MoRD): 56 new watershed projects worth ₹700 crore were sanctioned in 10 best-performing states.
The Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY) is implemented by which department?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Land Resources
PIB: the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, implements WDC-PMKSY.
What Haj quota was earmarked for India under the Bilateral Agreement for Haj 2025 signed on 13 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1,75,025
PIB (Minority Affairs): a quota of 1,75,025 has been earmarked for India under the Haj 2025 agreement.
In which city was the India–Saudi Arabia Bilateral Agreement for Haj 2025 signed?
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Correct answer: D — Jeddah
PIB: the agreement was signed on 13 January 2025 at Jeddah.
In the SpaDeX trial approach on 12 January 2025, how close were the two satellites brought before being moved back?
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Correct answer: C — 3 metres
The Hindu and Indian Express: the satellites were brought to 15 m and then 3 m before being moved back to a safe distance.
In ISRO's SpaDeX mission, which satellite is the 'Chaser'?
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Correct answer: B — SDX01
The Hindu: SDX01 is the Chaser and SDX02 the Target.
Before the 12 January 2025 trial approach, on which dates had ISRO postponed the SpaDeX docking?
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Correct answer: D — 7 and 9 January
The Hindu and Indian Express: docking was postponed on two earlier occasions, 7 January and 9 January.
At the India-Nepal IGC meeting in Kathmandu on 10–11 January 2025, India accepted Nepal's request for the supply of how much wheat?
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Correct answer: D — 200,000 MT
PIB: the Indian side informed that Nepal's request for 200,000 MT wheat had been accepted.
Who led the Indian delegation at the India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee meeting in Kathmandu in January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal
PIB: Secretary, Department of Commerce, Sunil Barthwal led the Indian delegation.
Electrification of which cross-border rail line was discussed at the India-Nepal IGC meeting in January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Raxaul–Birgunj
PIB: the agenda included synchronized development of trade infrastructure including electrification of the Raxaul–Birgunj rail line.
The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade, Transit and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade met in January 2025 in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Kathmandu
PIB: the IGC was held in Kathmandu from 10 to 11 January 2025.
Consider the following statements about the India-Nepal IGC meeting held in January 2025: 1. The two sides reviewed the Treaty of Transit and the Treaty of Trade. 2. India informed that Sal seeds and Chayote have been included in its Plant Quarantine Order. 3. The Nepali side was led by its Foreign Secretary. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB: the treaties were reviewed and Sal seeds and Chayote were included in India's Plant Quarantine Order; Nepal was led by Gobinda Bahadur Karkee, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
What was India's IIP growth rate for November 2024 as per the Quick Estimates released on 10 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 5.2%
PIB (MoSPI): IIP growth for November 2024 was 5.2%, against 3.5% in October 2024.
Which sector recorded the lowest growth among Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity in the November 2024 IIP?
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Correct answer: C — Mining
PIB (MoSPI): Mining 1.9%, Manufacturing 5.8%, Electricity 4.4%.
Consider the following statements about the Index of Industrial Production (IIP): 1. Its Quick Estimates are released on the 12th of every month (or the previous working day) with a six-week lag. 2. Its current base year is 2011-12. 3. It is compiled by the Reserve Bank of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): Quick Estimates are released on the 12th with a six-week lag, base 2011-12=100; the release is by MoSPI, not the RBI.
How much tax devolution did the Union Government release to States on 10 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1,73,030 crore
PIB (Finance): ₹1,73,030 crore was released, against ₹89,086 crore in December 2024.
Which State received the largest share in the tax devolution released on 10 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Uttar Pradesh
PIB (Finance): Uttar Pradesh got ₹31,039.84 crore, the largest in the State-wise table.
In the January 2025 tax devolution, which State received the second-largest amount after Uttar Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Bihar
PIB (Finance): Bihar ₹17,403.36 crore, Madhya Pradesh ₹13,582.86 crore, West Bengal ₹13,017.06 crore, Maharashtra ₹10,930.31 crore.
Who took charge as Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, on 9 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Tuhin Kanta Pandey
PIB (Finance): Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey took charge as Secretary, Department of Revenue.
Before becoming Revenue Secretary in January 2025, Tuhin Kanta Pandey had headed which department since October 2019?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Investment and Public Asset Management
PIB (Finance): he held charge as Secretary, DIPAM, since 24.10.2019.
In which city did Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meet Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on 8 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Dubai
MEA: the meeting took place in Dubai on 8 January 2025.
Which port did India and Afghanistan agree to promote for trade and humanitarian assistance at the 8 January 2025 meeting?
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Correct answer: A — Chabahar
MEA: both sides agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for trade and commercial activities, including humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.
Consider the following statements about the India–Afghanistan meeting of 8 January 2025, as per MEA: 1. India will provide further material support first to the health sector and for rehabilitation of refugees. 2. India has dispatched 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan as humanitarian assistance. 3. India announced the reopening of its embassy in Kabul at ambassador level. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
MEA: statements 1 and 2 are in the release; it said India would consider development projects but said nothing about reopening an embassy at ambassador level.
Which edition of the India–EU Human Rights Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 8 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 11th
MEA joint press release: the 11th India–EU Human Rights Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 8 January 2025.
When was the India–EU Human Rights Dialogue held before its January 2025 round?
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Correct answer: D — July 2022
MEA: the sides exchanged views on developments since the last Dialogue in July 2022.
At the 11th India–EU Human Rights Dialogue, which position did India reiterate?
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Correct answer: A — Recognition of the Right to Development as a distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right
MEA: India reiterated its stand on recognition of the Right to Development as a distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right; the EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment.
Who was the Maldives Defence Minister who held talks with Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on 8 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh held talks with Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, on his first official visit to India.
In the vision of SAGAR cited during India–Maldives defence talks, what does SAGAR stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Security And Growth for All in the Region
PIB (Defence): SAGAR is Security And Growth for All in the Region, cited alongside the 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
During the 8 January 2025 talks, both sides reaffirmed commitment to which India–Maldives framework?
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Correct answer: C — Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership
PIB (Defence): both sides reasserted commitment to the joint vision for India–Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
What real GDP growth rate for 2024-25 did the NSO's First Advance Estimates, released on 7 January 2025, project?
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Correct answer: D — 6.4%
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated to grow by 6.4% in 2024-25, against 8.2% in the Provisional Estimate for 2023-24.
As per the First Advance Estimates for 2024-25, what is the estimated growth of real GVA in agriculture and allied sectors?
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Correct answer: A — 3.8%
PIB (MoSPI): real GVA of agriculture and allied sectors is estimated to grow by 3.8% in 2024-25, against 1.4% in 2023-24.
Consider the following statements about the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2024-25: 1. Nominal GDP is estimated to grow by 9.7%. 2. Private Final Consumption Expenditure at constant prices is estimated to grow by 4.0%. 3. Real GVA of construction is estimated to grow by 8.6%. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (MoSPI): nominal GDP 9.7% and construction 8.6% are correct; PFCE grows 7.3% in 2024-25 (4.0% was the previous year's rate).
Before his appointment as Secretary, Department of Space on 7 January 2025, V. Narayanan headed which ISRO centre?
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Correct answer: A — Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
The Hindu, Indian Express (quoting the ACC order) and ISRO: Narayanan was Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala.
For what period was V. Narayanan appointed Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission by the ACC order of January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Two years from 14 January 2025, or until further orders
The Hindu and Indian Express quote the ACC order: two years with effect from 14.01.2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Consider the following statements about V. Narayanan, appointed Space Secretary in January 2025: 1. He joined ISRO in 1984. 2. He completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. 3. He succeeded K. Sivan as Space Secretary. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
ISRO: he joined ISRO in 1984 and studied at IIT Kharagpur; The Hindu and Indian Express: he succeeds S. Somanath, not K. Sivan.
Who co-chaired the first India–Malaysia Security Dialogue in New Delhi on 7 January 2025 from the Indian side?
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Correct answer: C — Ajit Doval
MEA: the dialogue was co-chaired by NSA Ajit Doval and Raja Dato Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin, DG of Malaysia's National Security Council.
India–Malaysia ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during which visit, from which the 2025 Security Dialogue emerged?
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Correct answer: D — PM Anwar Ibrahim's visit to India, August 2024
MEA: the dialogue is an outcome of PM Anwar Ibrahim's visit to India in August 2024, when ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements about the first India–Malaysia Security Dialogue: 1. Both sides agreed to institutionalise it with annual meetings. 2. They explored cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths. 3. It was held in Kuala Lumpur. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
MEA: statements 1 and 2 are correct; the dialogue was held in New Delhi, not Kuala Lumpur.
Which MeitY project was used to make the e-Shram portal available in all 22 Scheduled Languages on 7 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Bhashini
PIB (Labour): MeitY's Bhashini project was leveraged to upgrade the e-Shram portal to 22 languages.
Before the January 2025 upgrade, the e-Shram portal was available in English, Hindi and which two other languages?
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Correct answer: A — Kannada and Marathi
PIB (Labour): the previous version was available only in English, Hindi, Kannada and Marathi.
Access to how many Central Government schemes had been facilitated through the e-Shram portal, as stated on 7 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Twelve
PIB (Labour): access to twelve schemes of the Government of India has been facilitated through the e-Shram portal.
António Costa, who called PM Modi on 7 January 2025, holds which post?
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Correct answer: B — President of the European Council
PIB (PMO): António Costa is President of the European Council; the PM congratulated him on assuming charge.
During the 7 January 2025 call between PM Modi and António Costa, where was the next India–EU Summit said to be held?
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Correct answer: C — India
PIB (PMO): the leaders looked forward to the next India–EU Summit to be held in India at a mutually convenient time.
Which agreement did PM Modi and António Costa underline the need to conclude early during their call on 7 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — India–EU Free Trade Agreement
PIB (PMO): the leaders underlined the need for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India–EU FTA.
What step did US NSA Jake Sullivan announce in New Delhi on 6 January 2025 to promote civil nuclear cooperation with India?
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Correct answer: D — Efforts to finalise steps to delist Indian nuclear entities
MEA joint press release: Sullivan announced US efforts to finalise necessary steps to delist Indian nuclear entities.
The India–US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) was launched on the sidelines of which summit?
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Correct answer: A — Quad Summit in Tokyo, May 2022
MEA: iCET was launched by PM Modi and President Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Summit in Tokyo on 24 May 2022.
Under which regime did the US brief India on updated missile export control policies on 6 January 2025 to boost commercial space cooperation?
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Correct answer: B — Missile Technology Control Regime
MEA: Sullivan briefed India on updates to US missile export control policies under the MTCR that will boost US commercial space cooperation with India.
What is the name of the new UGC auditorium inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan on 6 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Pushpagiri
PIB (Education): Pradhan inaugurated 'Pushpagiri', the new auditorium of UGC.
The draft UGC Regulations, 2025 released on 6 January 2025 mainly concern which subject?
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Correct answer: A — Minimum qualifications for appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff
PIB (Education): the draft covers Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education.
Who was the UGC Chairman present when the draft UGC Regulations, 2025 were released?
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Correct answer: B — M. Jagadesh Kumar
PIB (Education): Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC, was present at the event.
Within what originally allocated outlay will PLI Scheme 1.1 for specialty steel, launched on 6 January 2025, operate?
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Correct answer: C — ₹6,322 crore
PIB (Steel): the scheme will operate within the funds originally allocated, i.e. ₹6,322 crore.
Over which production period will PLI Scheme 1.1 for specialty steel be implemented?
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Correct answer: D — FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30
PIB (Steel): the Steel Secretary said PLI 1.1 will be implemented during the production period FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30.
Which of the following are among the five product categories covered by PLI Scheme 1.1 for specialty steel? 1. Specialty Rails 2. Electrical Steel 3. Stainless Steel Utensils Select the correct answer using the code given below:
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Steel): the five categories are coated/plated steel, high strength/wear resistant steel, specialty rails, alloy steel products & steel wires, and electrical steel; utensils are not included.
Which company will use CSIR's indigenous paracetamol technology announced on 5 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Satya Deeptha Pharmaceuticals Ltd
PIB (S&T): Karnataka-based Satya Deeptha Pharmaceuticals Ltd will utilise the breakthrough to produce affordable paracetamol domestically.
CSIR's indigenous paracetamol technology was announced at the foundation day of which department on 5 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
PIB (S&T): Jitendra Singh made the announcement while addressing the 40th Foundation Day of DSIR.
How many more CSIR technologies were transferred to MSMEs under the Laghu Udyog Bharati '100 days 100 technology' campaign on DSIR's 40th Foundation Day?
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Correct answer: B — 16
PIB (S&T): 57 CSIR technologies had been transferred so far under the campaign, and 16 more were transferred on the day.