SF Prep

MP TET (Varg 1/2/3) Current Affairs Quiz — All time

Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.

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3508 news · 9340 MCQs
Score: 0 / 0 attempted · 83 questions
TRAI data: India's telephone subscribers at 1,188.20 million at end of October 2024, tele-density 84.46%
Q1

According to TRAI data released in December 2024, what was India's overall tele-density at the end of October 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 84.46%

PIB (TRAI): overall tele-density was 84.46% as on 31 October 2024.

Q2 Advanced

As per TRAI's subscription data as on 31 October 2024, how many broadband subscribers did India have?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 941.47 million

PIB (TRAI): total broadband subscribers decreased from 944.40 million at the end of September 2024 to 941.47 million at the end of October 2024.

TRAI mandates separate voice and SMS vouchers, raises voucher validity cap to 365 days
Q3

Under TRAI's Telecom Consumers Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, the validity cap for Special Tariff Vouchers and Combo Vouchers was raised to how many days?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 365 days

PIB (TRAI): the cap on validity period for STVs and Combo Vouchers was increased from 90 days to 365 days.

Q4 Advanced

Which of the following did TRAI mandate through its December 2024 amendment to the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — A separate Special Tariff Voucher for voice and SMS

PIB (TRAI): the regulations mandate a separate STV for voice and SMS. Colour coding was done away with, and the reservation of ₹10 and its multiples for top-up vouchers was removed.

Q5 Advanced

Consider the following statements about TRAI's December 2024 changes to voucher rules: 1. Colour coding of vouchers was done away with. 2. Telecom operators no longer need to offer any ₹10 top-up voucher. 3. The changes followed a consultation paper released on 26 July 2024. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only

PIB (TRAI): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong because the mandate of at least one ₹10 top-up voucher is retained.

Republic Day 2025 tableaux theme is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas'; 15 States/UTs selected
Q6

What is the theme for tableaux at the Republic Day Celebrations 2025, as announced by the Ministry of Defence?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas

PIB (Ministry of Defence): the theme for tableaux at RDC-2025 has been decided as 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas'.

Q7 Advanced

How many States/UTs were selected to showcase their tableaux on Kartavya Path for the Republic Day Celebrations 2025?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 15

PIB (Ministry of Defence): 15 States/UTs were selected for Kartavya Path for RDC-2025, along with 11 central ministries/departments.

Q8 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the Republic Day Celebrations 2025 tableaux announced on 23 December 2024: 1. Karnataka, Tripura and West Bengal were among the States selected for Kartavya Path. 2. Only the States selected for Kartavya Path were invited to Bharat Parv at the Red Fort. 3. The tableaux theme was decided on the basis of suggestions from States/UTs. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only

PIB (Ministry of Defence): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong because all States/UTs, irrespective of their selection for Kartavya Path, were invited to Bharat Parv at the Red Fort (26–31 January 2025).

India and ADB sign $500 million loan to IIFCL for green and sustainable infrastructure
Q9

What was the size of the loan signed by India and the Asian Development Bank in December 2024 for green and sustainable infrastructure through IIFCL?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — $500 million

PIB (Ministry of Finance): India and ADB signed a $500 million loan to support green and sustainable infrastructure projects, to be extended to IIFCL.

Q10 Advanced

The ADB loan signed on 20 December 2024 under the Financing Environmentally Sustainable Growth in Infrastructure Project will be extended to which entity?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited

PIB (Ministry of Finance): the ADB loan, with a sovereign guarantee, will be extended to India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL).

Q11 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the India–ADB loan to IIFCL announced on 23 December 2024: 1. The loan carries a sovereign guarantee. 2. A sustainability unit and a sustainability scoring method for projects will be set up at IIFCL. 3. The loan was signed for India by the Secretary, Department of Financial Services. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only

PIB (Ministry of Finance): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, signed for India.

Rozgar Mela: PM Modi distributes more than 71,000 appointment letters to new central government recruits
Q12

How many appointment letters did Prime Minister Narendra Modi distribute at the Rozgar Mela on 23 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — More than 71,000

PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister distributed more than 71,000 appointment letters to newly appointed recruits via video conferencing on 23 December 2024.

Q13 Advanced

At how many locations across the country was the Rozgar Mela of 23 December 2024 held?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 45

PIB (PMO): the Rozgar Mela was held at 45 locations across the country.

Q14 Advanced

At the Rozgar Mela of 23 December 2024, the Prime Minister said that around how many permanent government jobs had been offered in the previous one and a half years?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 10 lakh

PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister said that in the last one and a half years, around 10 lakh permanent government jobs had been offered.

India and Kuwait elevate ties to Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's first visit; defence MoU signed, Kuwait joins ISA
Q15

To what level did India and Kuwait elevate their bilateral relations during PM Narendra Modi's visit in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Strategic Partnership

PIB (PMO) joint statement: the two leaders agreed to elevate the relations between India and Kuwait to a 'Strategic Partnership'.

Q16 Advanced

Which international organisation did Kuwait join as one of the outcomes of PM Modi's visit in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — International Solar Alliance

PIB (PMO) list of outcomes: Kuwait's membership of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was one of the outcomes of the visit.

Q17 Advanced

PM Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony of which sporting event in Kuwait on 21 December 2024 as Guest of Honour of the Amir?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

PIB (PMO) joint statement: Prime Minister Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait on 21 December 2024 as Guest of Honour of the Amir.

Q18 Advanced

Consider the following outcomes of PM Modi's visit to Kuwait in December 2024: 1. An MoU on cooperation in the field of defence. 2. A Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025–2029. 3. A Joint Commission on Cooperation headed by the National Security Advisers of both countries. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only

PIB (PMO): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because the Joint Commission on Cooperation will be headed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

PM Modi conferred The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Kuwait's highest national award
Q19

Which award did the Amir of Kuwait confer on PM Narendra Modi on 22 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer

PIB (PMO): the Amir of Kuwait conferred The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, the highest national award of Kuwait, on PM Modi.

Q20 Advanced

In which year was Kuwait's Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer instituted?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 1974

PIB (PMO): The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer was instituted in 1974 and has since been conferred on select global leaders.

Q21 Advanced

PM Modi's visit to Kuwait in December 2024 was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to that country in how many years?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 43 years

PIB (PMO): the award was conferred during the historic visit of a Prime Minister of India to Kuwait after 43 years.

India win inaugural Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup, beating Bangladesh by 41 runs in Kuala Lumpur
Q22

Which team did India beat in the final to win the inaugural Women's T20 U19 Asia Cup on 22 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Bangladesh

The Hindu and Sportstar: India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final to win the inaugural Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup.

Q23 Advanced

Who top-scored for India with 52 off 47 balls in the final of the inaugural Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — G. Trisha

The Hindu and Sportstar: opener G. Trisha scored 52 off 47 balls (five fours, two sixes) as India made 117 for 7.

Q24 Advanced

At which venue was the final of the inaugural Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup played on 22 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur

Sportstar and The Hindu: India won the final at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.

India State of Forest Report 2023: forest and tree cover at 25.17% of geographical area, up 1,445 sq km since 2021
Q25

According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, what share of India's geographical area is under forest and tree cover?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 25.17%

PIB (MoEFCC): ISFR 2023 puts India's total forest and tree cover at 8,27,357 sq km, which is 25.17% of the geographical area (forest cover 21.76%, tree cover 3.41%).

Q26 Advanced

As per ISFR 2023, which State/UT has the highest forest cover as a percentage of its geographical area?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Lakshadweep

PIB (MoEFCC): Lakshadweep (91.33%) has the highest forest cover in percentage terms, followed by Mizoram (85.34%) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%).

Q27 Advanced

Which State showed the maximum increase in forest cover (242 sq km) in ISFR 2023?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Mizoram

PIB (MoEFCC): the top three States showing maximum increase in forest cover are Mizoram (242 sq km), Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km). Chhattisgarh led the increase in combined forest and tree cover (684 sq km).

Q28 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the India State of Forest Report 2023: 1. It is brought out by the Forest Survey of India on a biennial basis since 1987. 2. It is the 18th report in the series. 3. It was released at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only

PIB (MoEFCC): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because ISFR 2023 was released at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun.

First World Meditation Day observed on 21 December 2024 after UN General Assembly proclamation led by core group including India
Q29

Which body proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, first observed in 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — UN General Assembly

United Nations: the General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day; PIB records the Prime Minister's message on the day on 21 December 2024.

Q30 Advanced

What was India's role in the UN resolution that proclaimed World Meditation Day?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Member of the core group of countries that led its adoption

United Nations and The Hindu: India was a member of the core group of Member States that led the adoption of the resolution on World Meditation Day.

Association of NPS Intermediaries launched in Mumbai; PFRDA Chairperson unveils logo
Q31

Where was the Association of NPS Intermediaries (ANI) launched on 21 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai

PIB (Finance Ministry): ANI was officially launched at a conference titled 'Securing Tomorrow, With Pension' held at the Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai.

Q32 Advanced

According to the PFRDA Chairperson at the ANI launch (December 2024), the combined assets under management of NPS and APY exceed:

Show answer

Correct answer: B — ₹13.8 lakh crore

PIB (Finance Ministry): Deepak Mohanty stated that with AUM exceeding ₹13.8 lakh crore, NPS and APY have a total subscriber base of 8 crore.

Q33 Advanced

Who unveiled the logo of the Association of NPS Intermediaries at its launch?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — PFRDA Chairperson Deepak Mohanty

PIB (Finance Ministry): on the occasion, the association's logo was unveiled by the Chairperson of PFRDA, Dr. Deepak Mohanty.

Ashwini Vaishnaw confers 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 101 railway officials and 22 shields to zones
Q34

Which edition of the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar was conferred at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 21 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 69th

PIB (Railways): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 101 railway officials at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Q35 Advanced

How many railway officials received the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 101

PIB (Railways): the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar was conferred on 101 railway officials, and 22 shields were given to the best-performing zones.

Q36 Advanced

In the Railway Minister's December 2024 announcement on rewarding zones, what does 'SMQT' stand for?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Safest, Maintenance, Quality and Training

PIB (Railways): Vaishnaw said financial rewards along with shields would be given from next year for excellent SMQT (Safest, Maintenance, Quality and Training) practices.

CCEA fixes copra MSP for 2025 season: ₹11,582 per quintal for milling copra, ₹12,100 for ball copra
Q37

What MSP has been fixed for Fair Average Quality milling copra for the 2025 season?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — ₹11,582 per quintal

PIB (Cabinet): the MSP for Fair Average Quality milling copra has been fixed at ₹11,582 per quintal and for ball copra at ₹12,100 per quintal for the 2025 season.

Q38 Advanced

What MSP has been fixed for ball copra for the 2025 season?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — ₹12,100 per quintal

PIB (Cabinet): the MSP for ball copra has been fixed at ₹12,100 per quintal for the 2025 season, up 120% from ₹5,500 in 2014.

Q39 Advanced

Which agencies act as Central Nodal Agencies for procurement of copra and de-husked coconut under the Price Support Scheme?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — NAFED and NCCF

PIB (Cabinet): NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF) will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies for procurement of copra and de-husked coconut under the Price Support Scheme.

Winter Session 2024 of Parliament adjourned sine die; Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak passed, Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill sent to JPC
Q40 Advanced

What was the approximate productivity of the Lok Sabha in the Winter Session 2024, according to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 54.5%

PIB (Parliamentary Affairs): the productivity of the Lok Sabha was approximately 54.5% and that of the Rajya Sabha approximately 40%.

Q41 Advanced

Which Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Winter Session 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024

PIB (Parliamentary Affairs): one Bill, 'The Bhartiya Vayuyaan Vidheyak, 2024', which re-enacts the Aircraft Act, 1934, was passed by both Houses during the session.

Q42 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the Winter Session 2024 of Parliament: 1. It began on 25 November 2024 and was adjourned sine die on 20 December 2024. 2. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee on 20 December 2024. 3. The Rajya Sabha held more sittings than the Lok Sabha during the session. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only

PIB (Parliamentary Affairs): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because the session had 20 sittings of the Lok Sabha and 19 of the Rajya Sabha.

Destroyer Surat, last of Project 15B, and frigate Nilgiri, first of Project 17A, delivered to Indian Navy
Q43

The destroyer Surat, delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 December 2024, is the fourth and final ship of which project?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Project 15B

PIB (Defence): Yard 12707 Surat is the fourth and final Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, following Visakhapatnam, Mormugao and Imphal.

Q44 Advanced

Which propulsion arrangement powers the destroyer Surat?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) with four gas turbines

PIB (Defence): Surat is powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion set comprising four gas turbines, and exceeded 30 knots during sea trials.

Q45 Advanced

The Project 17A frigate Nilgiri is a follow-on of which class of frigates already in service?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Shivalik class (Project 17)

PIB (Defence): Yard 12651 Nilgiri, the first Project 17A stealth frigate, is a follow-on of the Shivalik class (Project 17) frigates active in service.

Q46 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the warships delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 December 2024: 1. Surat has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes. 2. Surat is poised to be the Indian Navy's first AI-enabled warship. 3. The seven Project 17A frigates are being built at MDL, Mumbai and Cochin Shipyard, Kochi. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only

PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong because the seven P17A frigates are under construction at MDL, Mumbai and GRSE, Kolkata.

CCI approves UltraTech Cement's acquisition of The India Cements
Q47 Advanced

What share of The India Cements' paid-up equity did UltraTech propose to acquire from the promoters and Sri Saradha Logistics, as approved by the CCI in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 32.72%

PIB (CCI): the combination envisages UltraTech's acquisition of 32.72% of India Cements' paid-up equity share capital from the promoters and promoter group and Sri Saradha Logistics, and up to 26% through an open offer.

Q48 Advanced

UltraTech Cement Limited, whose acquisition of The India Cements was approved by the CCI, is a subsidiary of:

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Grasim Industries

PIB (CCI): UltraTech is a public listed company and a subsidiary of Grasim Industries Limited.

India and ADB sign $350 million policy-based loan under second subprogramme of SMILE logistics programme
Q49

What was the size of the policy-based loan signed by India and the ADB on 20 December 2024 under the SMILE programme?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — $350 million

PIB (Commerce Ministry): the Government of India and ADB signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogramme of the SMILE programme.

Q50 Advanced

In the ADB-supported SMILE programme, what does 'SMILE' stand for?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem

PIB (Commerce Ministry): the loan was signed under the second subprogramme of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) programme.

Defence Ministry signs ₹7,629 crore contract with L&T for K9 VAJRA-T self-propelled tracked guns
Q51

With which company did the Defence Ministry sign a ₹7,628.70 crore contract for K9 VAJRA-T self-propelled guns on 20 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Larsen & Toubro

PIB (Defence): the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited for K9 VAJRA-T guns for the Indian Army at a total cost of ₹7,628.70 crore.

Q52 Advanced

Under which procurement category was the K9 VAJRA-T contract of December 2024 signed?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Buy (Indian)

PIB (Defence): the 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T guns are being procured for the Indian Army under the Buy (Indian) category.

TRAI recommends additional 5 MHz paired spectrum in 700 MHz band for Indian Railways' safety and security applications
Q53 Advanced

In December 2024, TRAI recommended assigning Indian Railways an additional 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in which band?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 700 MHz band

PIB (TRAI): in addition to the 5 MHz (paired) already assigned in the 700 MHz band, an additional 5 MHz (paired) in the 700 MHz band should be assigned to Indian Railways for safety and security applications.

Q54 Advanced

According to TRAI's December 2024 recommendations, how should spectrum charges for Indian Railways, NCRTC, other RRTS and Metro rail networks be levied?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Based on DoT's formula for Royalty Charges and Licence Fees for captive use

PIB (TRAI): spectrum charges for Indian Railways/NCRTC/other RRTS/Metro rail networks should be levied based on the formula for Royalty Charges and License Fees for captive use, as prescribed by DoT.

TRAI completes commercial SMS traceability; messages on unregistered paths rejected from 11 December 2024
Q55 Advanced

From which date did access providers start rejecting commercial SMS traffic sent through unregistered paths, as announced by TRAI in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 11 December 2024

PIB (TRAI): effective 11 December 2024, SMS traffic sent through unregistered paths is being rejected.

Q56 Advanced

TRAI's commercial SMS traceability framework is built on which technology platform?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Blockchain-based Distributed Ledger Technology

PIB (TRAI): the traceability of commercial messages is implemented on the blockchain-based Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform.

NITI Aayog releases report 'S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth'
Q57

NITI Aayog's December 2024 report 'S.A.F.E. Accommodation' deals with housing for which group?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Industrial workers

PIB (NITI Aayog): the report 'S.A.F.E. Accommodation - Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth' explores secure, affordable, flexible and efficient accommodation for industrial workers.

Q58 Advanced

In NITI Aayog's report on worker housing, what does 'S.A.F.E.' stand for?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Secure, Affordable, Flexible, Efficient

PIB (NITI Aayog): S.A.F.E. stands for secure, affordable, flexible and efficient accommodation for industrial workers.

Q59 Advanced

According to NITI Aayog's S.A.F.E. report, the Union Budget 2024-25 initiative on dormitory-style rental housing for industrial workers is to be executed through which model?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — PPP with Viability Gap Funding and anchor-industry commitments

PIB (NITI Aayog): the Budget 2024-25 initiative is to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support and commitments from anchor industries.

DRDO, IIT Delhi and industry sign 10 tripartite agreements at DIA-GARIMA; ABHED jacket technology transferred
Q60

ABHED, whose technology was transferred by DRDO in December 2024, is a:

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Light weight bullet resistant jacket

PIB (Defence): Transfer of Technology of the light weight bullet resistant jacket ABHED (Advanced Ballistic High Energy Defeat) was done with three industry partners.

Q61 Advanced

How many tripartite agreements were signed among DRDO, IIT Delhi and industry at the DIA-GARIMA event on 19 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 10

PIB (Defence): during the DIA-GARIMA event at IIT Delhi, 10 tripartite agreements were signed among DRDO, IIT Delhi and industry partners.

Q62 Advanced

Which of the following was NOT among the industry partners that received the ABHED jacket technology in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Bharat Electronics Ltd

PIB (Defence): ABHED technology was transferred to MIDHANI (Rohtak), SMPP Pvt Ltd (Delhi) and AR Polymers (MKU), Kanpur. Bharat Electronics Ltd was not among them.

INS Nirdeshak, second Survey Vessel (Large), commissioned into Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam
Q63

INS Nirdeshak, commissioned on 18 December 2024, belongs to which class of naval ships?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Survey Vessel (Large)

PIB (Defence): INS Nirdeshak is the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) project.

Q64 Advanced

Which shipyard is building the four ships of the Survey Vessel (Large) project, including INS Nirdeshak?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata

PIB (Defence): INS Nirdeshak is the second of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships under construction at GRSE, Kolkata.

Q65 Advanced

Where was INS Nirdeshak commissioned into the Indian Navy?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam

PIB (Defence): INS Nirdeshak was commissioned on 18 December 2024 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in a ceremony presided over by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth.

EPFO gives employers final chance till 31 January 2025 on 3.1 lakh pending higher-wage pension applications
Q66

Till what date did EPFO give employers a final opportunity to upload wage details for pending applications for pension on higher wages?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 31 January 2025

PIB (Labour): EPFO gave a final opportunity till 31 January 2025 to employers to upload wage details for over 3.1 lakh pending applications.

Q67 Advanced

EPFO's facility for pension on higher wages was provided in compliance with a Supreme Court order of which date?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 4 November 2022

PIB (Labour): the online facility for Validation of Options/Joint Options was made available in compliance with the Supreme Court order dated 4 November 2022.

Q68 Advanced

How many applications for Validation of Option/Joint Options for pension on higher wages did EPFO receive by the extended deadline of 11 July 2023?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 17.49 lakh

PIB (Labour): a total of 17.49 lakh applications for Validation of Option/Joint Options were received by 11 July 2023.

National Commission for Minorities observes Minorities Rights Day on 18 December 2024
Q69

Minorities Rights Day, observed in India on 18 December, marks the adoption of a UN declaration on minority rights in which year?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 1992

PIB (Minority Affairs): the United Nations adopted the declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities on 18 December 1992.

Q70 Advanced

Who presided over the Minorities Rights Day event organised by the National Commission for Minorities on 18 December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Iqbal Singh Lalpura

PIB (Minority Affairs): the event was presided over by NCM Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, while MoS George Kurian was the chief guest.

ESIC adds 17.80 lakh new workers and 21,588 establishments in October 2024
Q71

As per provisional ESIC payroll data, how many new employees were added under the ESI Scheme in October 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 17.80 lakh

PIB (Labour): the provisional payroll data of ESIC shows 17.80 lakh new employees added in October 2024.

Q72 Advanced

How many new establishments were brought under the ESI Scheme in October 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — 21,588

PIB (Labour): 21,588 new establishments were brought under the social security ambit of the ESI Scheme in October 2024.

Q73 Advanced

Consider the following statements about ESIC payroll data for October 2024: 1. About 47.75% of the new employees were aged up to 25 years. 2. 3.52 lakh female employees were enrolled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2

PIB (Labour): 8.50 lakh of the 17.80 lakh new employees (about 47.75%) were aged up to 25 years, and 3.52 lakh female employees were enrolled. Both statements are correct.

Bills for 'One Nation, One Election' introduced in Lok Sabha
Q74

Along with the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, which other Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2024 for simultaneous elections?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024

PIB (Parliamentary Affairs): the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were introduced in the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2024.

Q75 Advanced

Who headed the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections whose recommendations were accepted by the Union Cabinet on 18 September 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Ram Nath Kovind

PIB (Law and Justice): the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections was headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind; its recommendations were accepted by the Union Cabinet on 18 September 2024.

Q76 Advanced

Under the High-Level Committee's phased approach to simultaneous elections, elections to municipalities and panchayats are to be synchronised with Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections within how many days?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 100 days

PIB (Law and Justice): Phase 1 synchronises Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections; Phase 2 synchronises elections for municipalities and panchayats with them within 100 days.

Kisan Kavach, India's first anti-pesticide bodysuit for farmers, launched
Q77

What is Kisan Kavach, launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology in December 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — An anti-pesticide bodysuit for farmers

PIB (Science & Technology): Kisan Kavach is Bharat's first-of-its-kind anti-pesticide bodysuit, designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.

Q78 Advanced

Kisan Kavach was developed by BRIC-inStem, Bengaluru in collaboration with which company?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Sepio Health Pvt Ltd

PIB (Science & Technology): Kisan Kavach was developed by BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt Ltd.

Q79 Advanced

Consider the following statements about Kisan Kavach: 1. It is priced at ₹4,000. 2. It is washable and reusable and can last up to a year. 3. Its fabric deactivates pesticides on contact. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3

PIB (Science & Technology): the washable and reusable suit is priced at ₹4,000, can last up to a year, and uses fabric technology that deactivates harmful pesticides upon contact. All three statements are correct.

CBIC launches four citizen-centric initiatives including revised Citizen's Charter and CBIC Archives
Q80 Advanced

Who was the CBIC Chairperson who launched four citizen-centric initiatives on 17 December 2024?

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Correct answer: C — Sanjay Kumar Agarwal

PIB (Finance): Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairperson, CBIC, launched the initiatives in the presence of all Board members.

Q81 Advanced

Which of the following was NOT among the four initiatives launched by CBIC on 17 December 2024?

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Correct answer: A — Faceless customs assessment

PIB (Finance): the four initiatives were the revised Citizen's Charter, the revamped Citizen's Corner, the 'Ease of Doing Business' tab and CBIC Archives. Faceless customs assessment was not among them.

C-DOT signs TTDF agreement with Silizium Circuits for LEO satellite components and GNSS RF front-end chip
Q82 Advanced

Under which scheme of the Department of Telecommunications did C-DOT sign the agreement with Silizium Circuits for LEO satellite components in December 2024?

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Correct answer: A — Telecom Technology Development Fund

PIB (Communications): the agreement was signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications.

Q83 Advanced

Silizium Circuits, which signed an agreement with C-DOT in December 2024, is a startup under the fabless chip design incubator of which institute?

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Correct answer: D — IIT Hyderabad

PIB (Communications): Silizium Circuits Pvt Ltd is a fabless semiconductor IP and SoC startup under FABCI (Fabless Chip Design Incubator), IIT Hyderabad.