SSC Stenographer Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024?
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Correct answer: B — John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 is awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton.
Geoffrey Hinton used the Hopfield network as the foundation for which new network, as cited by the Nobel Committee?
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Correct answer: D — Boltzmann machine
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): Geoffrey Hinton used the Hopfield network as the foundation for a new network: the Boltzmann machine.
With which university was Geoffrey Hinton affiliated in the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 announcement?
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Correct answer: C — University of Toronto
Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): Geoffrey Hinton, University of Toronto, Canada; John J. Hopfield, Princeton University, USA.
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024: 1. The Hopfield network utilises physics that describes a material's characteristics due to atomic spin. 2. The prize of 11 million Swedish kronor is to be shared equally between the laureates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (8 Oct 2024): the Hopfield network uses physics describing atomic spin, and the prize amount of 11 million Swedish kronor is to be shared equally.
How much has been earmarked for the 'Innovative Projects' component of PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, whose guidelines were notified on 8 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹500 crore
MNRE via PIB (11 Oct 2024): guidelines were notified on 8 October 2024 and ₹500 crore has been earmarked for the Innovative Projects component.
Which body is the Scheme Implementation Agency for the Innovative Projects component of PM-Surya Ghar?
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Correct answer: C — National Institute of Solar Energy
MNRE via PIB (11 Oct 2024): the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) will serve as the Scheme Implementation Agency.
Consider the following statements about the Innovative Projects component of PM-Surya Ghar: 1. Selected projects get assistance of up to 60% of project cost or ₹30 crore, whichever is higher. 2. The parent scheme was approved on 29 February 2024 with an outlay of ₹50,000 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither statement is correct. MNRE via PIB (11 Oct 2024): assistance is up to 60% of project cost or ₹30 crore, whichever is lower; the scheme approved on 29 February 2024 has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore.
Gross enrolments under the Atal Pension Yojana crossed which mark, as announced on 8 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 7 crore
PIB (8 Oct 2024): total gross enrolments under APY have crossed 7 crore, with over 56 lakh in FY 2024-25.
On which date was the Atal Pension Yojana launched?
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Correct answer: D — 9 May 2015
PIB (8 Oct 2024): APY was launched on 9th May 2015.
What support did India extend to Maldives as a bilateral currency swap agreement, as noted during President Muizzu's state visit in October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — USD 400 million and INR 30 billion
India-Maldives Vision document (PIB, 7 Oct 2024): President Muizzu appreciated India's support in the form of USD 400 million and INR 30 billion as a bilateral currency swap agreement.
Which Indian payment card was launched in Maldives on 7 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — RuPay
List of Outcomes (PIB, 7 Oct 2024): Launch of RuPay Card in Maldives.
The new runway of which Maldivian airport was inaugurated as an outcome of President Muizzu's October 2024 state visit to India?
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Correct answer: D — Hanimaadhoo International Airport
List of Outcomes (PIB, 7 Oct 2024): Inauguration of the new runway of Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA).
Which Maldivian Coast Guard Ship is to be refitted by India on gratis basis, as listed in the outcomes of the October 2024 state visit?
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Correct answer: A — Huravee
List of Outcomes (PIB, 7 Oct 2024): Refit of Maldivian Coast Guard Ship Huravee by the Government of India on gratis basis.
Consider the following about the India-Maldives outcomes of 7 October 2024: 1. The two sides agreed to collaborate in developing a commercial port at Thilafushi island. 2. The 700 social housing units handed over were built under World Bank financing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the Vision document says the two sides will collaborate in developing a state-of-the-art commercial port at Thilafushi island. Statement 2 is incorrect: the 700 social housing units were built under EXIM Bank's Buyers' Credit Facilities.
Who were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine?
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Correct answer: B — Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of:
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Correct answer: D — microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the prize was awarded 'for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation'.
On which model organism did Ambros and Ruvkun make the discovery honoured by the 2024 Medicine Nobel?
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Correct answer: C — C. elegans (roundworm)
Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): they studied the 1 mm long roundworm C. elegans, including the lin-4 and lin-14 mutant strains.
Consider the following about the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: 1. Ambros and Ruvkun published their microRNA findings in 1993 in the journal Cell. 2. In 2000, Ruvkun's group discovered another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Nobel press release (7 Oct 2024): the results were published in 1993 in two articles in the journal Cell; in 2000 Ruvkun's research group published the discovery of another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene.
Monthly nutrition support per TB patient under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana was raised on 7 October 2024 from Rs 500 to:
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Correct answer: A — Rs 1,000
PIB (7 Oct 2024): support under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana was increased from Rs 500 per month to Rs 1,000 per month for all TB patients.
Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS), announced on 7 October 2024, is for TB patients with:
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Correct answer: D — BMI below 18.5
PIB (7 Oct 2024): energy dense nutrition supplementation will be introduced for all patients with BMI<18.5, covering about 12 lakh underweight patients.
What additional allocation did the government approve for Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, as announced on 7 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 1,040 crore
PIB (7 Oct 2024): the Government approved an additional allocation of Rs 1040 crores to Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana; Rs 3,202 crore is the amount disbursed so far.
The internal committee formed by CBDT in October 2024 will comprehensively review which law?
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Correct answer: A — Income-tax Act, 1961
PIB (7 Oct 2024): CBDT has formed an internal committee to oversee a comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
Consider the following about the review of the Income-tax Act announced on 7 October 2024: 1. The internal committee was formed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). 2. 'Compliance Reduction' is one of the four categories in which suggestions are invited. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the committee was formed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Statement 2 is correct: the four categories are simplification of language, litigation reduction, compliance reduction, and redundant/obsolete provisions.
According to Dr Jitendra Singh on 6 October 2024, how much has been earmarked for a Venture Fund for space start-ups?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 1,000 crore
PIB (6 Oct 2024): Rupees 1,000 crore has been earmarked for Venture Fund to Space StartUps, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
As per Dr Jitendra Singh in October 2024, India's space sector now has about how many start-ups?
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Correct answer: A — 200 plus
PIB (6 Oct 2024): 'From one digit we are now 200 plus StartUps in Space sector.'
Which rocket did Dr Jitendra Singh refer to as India's first private rocket?
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Correct answer: D — Vikram-S
PIB (6 Oct 2024): he referred to India's first private Rocket, Vikram-S.
By what margin did India beat Pakistan in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup match in Dubai on 6 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Six wickets
ICC and BBC (6 Oct 2024): India beat Pakistan by six wickets at Dubai.
Who was named Player of the Match in India's win over Pakistan at the Women's T20 World Cup on 6 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Arundhati Reddy
ICC (6 Oct 2024): Player of the Match Arundhati Reddy spoke to journalists after the game; BBC notes she starred with 3-19.
World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed on:
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Correct answer: D — 6 October
PIB (5 Oct 2024): the Government of India celebrates World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6th October 2024.
What was the theme of World Cerebral Palsy Day 2024?
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Correct answer: B — #UniquelyCP
PIB (5 Oct 2024): the 2024 theme is '#UniquelyCP', to raise awareness that a person's disability is not their entire identity.
Which ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron arrived at Muscat, Oman, on 5 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — INS Tir, INS Shardul and ICGS Veera
PIB (6 Oct 2024): INS Tir, Shardul and Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera of the First Training Squadron arrived at Muscat, Oman on 05 Oct 24.
The October 2024 port call was which visit of the First Training Squadron to Muscat in the last ten years?
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Correct answer: C — Third
PIB (6 Oct 2024): in the last ten years, this is the third visit of 1TS to Muscat, Oman.
Who, as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, visited Oman from 6 to 9 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Vice Admiral V Srinivas
PIB (6 Oct 2024): VAdm V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, will be on an official visit to Oman from 06 to 09 Oct 24.
What was the size of the foreign currency term loan announced by Power Finance Corporation on 4 October 2024, the largest-ever by an Indian PSU?
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Correct answer: B — USD 1.265 billion
PIB (4 Oct 2024): PFC closed the largest-ever foreign currency term loan from an Indian PSU amounting to USD 1.265 billion.
PFC's USD 1.265 billion term loan of October 2024 is denominated in which currencies?
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Correct answer: C — USD, EUR and JPY
PIB (4 Oct 2024): the floating rate loan is denominated in G3 currencies - USD, EUR and JPY - with a 5-year tenor.
According to DoT on 4 October 2024, about how many spoofed international calls with Indian numbers are being blocked daily by telecom operators?
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Correct answer: C — 45 lakh
PIB (4 Oct 2024): 45 lakh spoof international calls with Indian phone numbers are being blocked by TSPs daily (4.5 million, about one-third of spoofed calls).
Which facility did DoT advise citizens to use to report suspected spam and fraud calls, in its release of 4 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Chakshu
PIB (4 Oct 2024): citizens are advised to use 'Chakshu' to report spam calls.
On 3 October 2024, the Union Cabinet approved Classical Language status for which group of languages?
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Correct answer: B — Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali
PIB (3 Oct 2024): Cabinet approves conferring status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages.
Which language was declared India's first Classical Language when the category was created on 12 October 2004?
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Correct answer: D — Tamil
PIB (3 Oct 2024): the Government created the category of 'Classical Languages' on 12 October 2004, declaring Tamil as Classical Language.
Which body has been appointed the nodal agency for Classical Languages, as per the Cabinet release of 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Sahitya Akademi
PIB (3 Oct 2024): the Linguistics Experts Committee (under Sahitya Akademi) revised the criteria on 25.07.2024, and Sahitya Akademi has been appointed as nodal agency.
Before October 2024, which language was the most recent to be notified as a Classical Language, on 01/03/2014?
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Correct answer: C — Odia
PIB (3 Oct 2024) lists notification dates: Tamil 12/10/2004, Sanskrit 25/11/2005, Telugu and Kannada 31/10/2008, Malayalam 08/08/2013 and Odia 01/03/2014.
Consider the following about Classical Language status, as per the Cabinet release of 3 October 2024: 1. The Linguistic Experts Committee under Sahitya Akademi revised the criteria in a meeting on 25.07.2024. 2. The Maharashtra Government sent its proposal for Classical Language status for Marathi in 2013. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB (3 Oct 2024): the LEC (under Sahitya Akademi) unanimously revised the criteria in a meeting on 25.07.2024, and a proposal from the Maharashtra Government in 2013 requested Classical Language status for Marathi.
Which edition of the India-US Commercial Dialogue was held in Washington, D.C. on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 6th
US Department of Commerce (3 Oct 2024) and PIB: Goyal and Raimondo convened the 6th ministerial-level meeting of the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue.
Who co-chaired the 6th India-US Commercial Dialogue with Piyush Goyal on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Gina Raimondo
PIB and US Department of Commerce: the dialogue was jointly chaired by Piyush Goyal and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. Goyal held a separate bilateral meeting with USTR Katherine Tai.
India and the US signed an MoU at the 6th Commercial Dialogue on 3 October 2024 in which area?
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Correct answer: A — Expanding and diversifying critical minerals supply chains
US Department of Commerce (3 Oct 2024): today they signed a new MOU to Expand and Diversify Critical Minerals Supply Chains. The semiconductor MOU was an earlier agreement reviewed at the meeting.
Consider the following about the 6th India-US Commercial Dialogue held on 3 October 2024: 1. 'INDUS Innovation' was launched under the Innovation Handshake agenda. 2. The previous (5th) ministerial meeting was held in March 2023 in Washington, D.C. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the two sides launched INDUS Innovation under the Innovation Handshake agenda. Statement 2 is incorrect: the US Department of Commerce says the 5th ministerial meeting took place in March 2023 in New Delhi.
In which city will the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) open its first overseas campus, under an MoU signed on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Dubai
PIB (7 Oct 2024): the India Pavilion at Expo City in Dubai will host IIFT's first overseas campus; the MoU was signed on 03 October 2024.
IIFT's first overseas campus will be located at:
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Correct answer: D — The former Expo 2020 India Pavilion, Expo City Dubai
PIB (7 Oct 2024): IIFT will establish its first campus outside India at the former Expo 2020 India Pavilion in Expo City Dubai.
How many Jan Aushadhi Kendras had been established across India, as reported on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 13,822
PIB (3 Oct 2024): 13,822 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established across the country.
What record monthly sales did Jan Aushadhi Kendras achieve in September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Rs 200 crore
PIB (3 Oct 2024): in September 2024 the Kendras achieved record sales of Rs 200 crore, against Rs 141 crore in September 2023 (42% growth).
CDSCO became an Affiliate Member of which international body, as announced on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)
PIB (3 Oct 2024): CDSCO under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare becomes Affiliate Member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum.
Where was the 26th Session of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum held in September 2024, after which CDSCO received Affiliate Membership?
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Correct answer: B — Seattle, USA
PIB (3 Oct 2024): after review of India's application and discussions with senior CDSCO officers during the 26th Session of IMDRF held in September 2024 at Seattle, Washington, USA, CDSCO received approval as an Affiliate Member.
What is the financial outlay of the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds approved by the Cabinet on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Rs 10,103 crore
PIB (3 Oct 2024): NMEO-Oilseeds will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.
NMEO-Oilseeds aims to raise primary oilseed production to how much by 2030-31?
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Correct answer: C — 69.7 million tonnes
PIB (3 Oct 2024): the mission aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.
Under NMEO-Oilseeds, an online 5-year rolling seed plan will be introduced through which portal?
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Correct answer: B — SATHI
PIB (3 Oct 2024): the Mission will introduce an online 5-year rolling seed plan through the 'Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI)' Portal.
The International Energy Efficiency Hub, which India decided to join on 3 October 2024, was established in 2020 as the successor to:
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Correct answer: D — International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC)
PIB (3 Oct 2024): established in 2020 as the successor to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), in which India was a member.
By signing which document did the Cabinet approve India joining the International Energy Efficiency Hub on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Letter of Intent
PIB (3 Oct 2024): Cabinet approves India to Join International Energy Efficiency Hub by signing the Letter of Intent.
What is the total proposed expenditure for PM-RKVY and Krishonnati Yojana approved by the Cabinet on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 1,01,321.61 crore
PIB (3 Oct 2024): PM-RKVY and Krishonnati Yojana will be implemented with a total proposed expenditure of Rs 1,01,321.61 crore.
Which of the two umbrella agriculture schemes approved on 3 October 2024 is described as a 'cafeteria scheme'?
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Correct answer: B — Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY)
PIB (3 Oct 2024): the Cabinet rationalised all CSS into two umbrella schemes, viz. PM-RKVY, a cafeteria scheme, and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).
According to the Cabinet decision of 3 October 2024, Krishonnati Yojana (KY) is meant to:
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Correct answer: D — Achieve food security and self-sufficiency
PIB (3 Oct 2024): PM-RKVY will promote sustainable agriculture, while Krishonnati Yojana will address food security and agricultural self-sufficiency.