MPSC (Maharashtra) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the outlay of the Ministry of Coal's Financial Incentive Scheme for coal/lignite gasification, under which selected applicants were announced on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹8,500 crore
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the Ministry of Coal launched the Financial Incentive Scheme with an outlay of ₹8,500 crore, approved by the Cabinet, for promotion of coal/lignite gasification projects.
By which year does India target 100 million tonnes of coal gasification, as cited by the Ministry of Coal on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 2030
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the scheme is a crucial step towards India's target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the selections announced by the Ministry of Coal on 2 December 2024: 1. Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited was selected under Category I. 2. New Era Cleantech Solution was selected under Category I. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (2 Dec 2024): Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited is listed under Category I (government PSUs/JVs), so statement 1 is correct. New Era Cleantech Solution was selected under Category III (demonstration/small-scale plants), so statement 2 is wrong. Answer: 1 only.
At the CoP16 drought dialogue on 2 December 2024, Bhupender Yadav recalled India's presidency of which UNCCD Conference of the Parties, when India committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — CoP14
PIB (2 Dec 2024): Shri Yadav said it was during India's presidency at CoP14 that India presented its commitment to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
India announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in which field during its UNCCD CoP14 presidency, which the Minister said on 2 December 2024 has been established?
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Correct answer: D — Sustainable Land Management
PIB (2 Dec 2024): India announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management to promote a scientific approach to land degradation; the Minister said it has already been established.
On 2 December 2024, the PM welcomed recognition of the PRAGATI platform's effectiveness in a study by which institutions?
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Correct answer: B — Oxford Saïd Business School and Gates Foundation
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the PM was pleased that the effectiveness of PRAGATI has been recognised in the study by Oxford Said Business School and Gates Foundation.
On 2 December 2024, Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Sood chaired a brainstorming session on collaborations with multilateral organisations under which mission?
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Correct answer: D — National One Health Mission
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the PSA chaired a brainstorming session on 2 December 2024 to explore collaborations with multilateral organisations under the National One Health Mission.
India and Italy's long-standing partnership in scientific research, highlighted during Adolfo Urso's meeting with Jitendra Singh on 2 December 2024, is particularly through the Elettra synchrotron facility located in:
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Correct answer: A — Trieste
PIB (2 Dec 2024): India and Italy enjoy a long-standing partnership in scientific research, particularly through the Synchrotron facility, Elettra, in Trieste.
Where did the first India–Cambodia joint table-top exercise CINBAX begin on 1 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Foreign Training Node, Pune
PIB (1 Dec 2024): the 1st edition of Joint Table Top Exercise CINBAX between the Indian and Cambodian Armies commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Pune.
Exercise CINBAX wargames joint counter-terrorism operations under which chapter of the UN Charter?
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Correct answer: B — Chapter VII
PIB (1 Dec 2024): CINBAX is a planning exercise aimed to wargame conduct of joint Counter Terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Consider the following statements about Exercise CINBAX 2024: 1. It is scheduled from 1 to 8 December 2024. 2. The Indian Army contingent comprises 50 personnel from an Infantry Brigade. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (1 Dec 2024): the exercise will be conducted from 1st to 8th December 2024, so statement 1 is correct. The Indian contingent comprises 20 personnel from an Infantry Brigade, not 50, so statement 2 is wrong. Answer: 1 only.
What was India's overall coal production in November 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Coal on 1 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 90.62 million tonnes
PIB (1 Dec 2024): overall coal production in November 2024 reached 90.62 million tonnes (provisional), compared with 84.52 MT in November 2023.
By what percentage did India's overall coal production in November 2024 grow over November 2023?
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Correct answer: B — 7.20%
PIB (1 Dec 2024): production of 90.62 MT against 84.52 MT in the same month last year marks a 7.20% growth.
Coal production from captive and other entities in November 2024 reached how much, according to the Ministry of Coal?
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Correct answer: C — 17.13 million tonnes
PIB (1 Dec 2024): coal production from captive and other entities reached 17.13 million tonnes (provisional) in November 2024, up from 12.44 million tonnes in November 2023, a growth of 37.69%.
The Border Security Force, which the PM greeted on its Raising Day on 1 December 2024, was officially formed in which year?
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Correct answer: A — 1965
BSF official website: the Border Security Force was officially formed on 1st December 1965; the PM greeted the BSF on its Raising Day on 1 December 2024 (PIB).
Who was the first Director-General and founding father of the Border Security Force?
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Correct answer: D — K. F. Rustamji
BSF official website: the Government of India appointed Shri K. F. Rustamji, IP, as the first Director-General and the founding father of BSF.
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.
The 13th edition of the India–Singapore exercise 'Agni Warrior' concluded on 30 November 2024 at which location?
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Correct answer: C — Devlali, Maharashtra
PIB (MoD): XAW-2024 concluded at the Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra) on 30 November 2024.
Which edition of Joint Military Exercise 'Agni Warrior' was held in November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 13th
PIB (MoD): the 13th edition of Joint Military Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024) was held from 28 to 30 November 2024.
Consider the following statements about Agni Warrior 2024: 1. The Singapore contingent comprised 182 personnel from the Singapore Artillery and the Indian contingent 114 personnel from the Regiment of Artillery. 2. It was a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoD): the contingents were 182 (Singapore Artillery) and 114 (Regiment of Artillery) — 1 is correct. It was an Army–Singapore Armed Forces artillery exercise, not a naval one — 2 is wrong.
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.
Which Italian Navy tall ship docked at the Indira Dock of Mumbai Port, where Sarbananda Sonowal met Italian minister Adolfo Urso on 30 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Amerigo Vespucci
PIB (MoPSW): the meeting took place during the docking of the Italian Navy school ship Amerigo Vespucci at the Indira Docks in Mumbai Port.
Consider the following statements: 1. Sarbananda Sonowal sought Italy's collaboration for the National Maritime Heritage Complex being built at Lothal, Gujarat. 2. The ship Amerigo Vespucci was commissioned in May 1931. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoPSW): Sonowal requested support for the NMHC at Lothal, Gujarat, and the release states Amerigo Vespucci was commissioned in May 1931. Both are correct.
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).
On 27 November 2024, the Army Chief presented the President's Colours to four Mechanised Infantry battalions at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School in which city?
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Correct answer: A — Ahilyanagar
PIB (Army): the ceremony was held at the Mechanised Infantry Centre and School (MIC&S), Ahilyanagar, on 27 November 2024.
In which year was the Mechanised Infantry Arm of the Indian Army raised?
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Correct answer: C — 1979
PIB (Army): the COAS said the Mechanised Infantry Arm, since its inception in 1979, has distinguished itself as a modern and professional force.