State Staff Selection Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The Dhanu Yatra, described as the world's largest open-air theatre, is held in which district of Odisha?
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Correct answer: D — Bargarh
NIE/OrissaPOST/Ommcom: the Dhanu Yatra is held at Bargarh and is described as the largest open-air theatre in the world.
What honorarium will each of the about 170 artistes of the Dhanu Yatra receive for the first time, as announced on 29 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
NIE/OrissaPOST/Ommcom: about 170 artistes will receive ₹10,000 each.
Odisha government aid for the Dhanu Yatra was raised from ₹10 lakh to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹1 crore
NIE/Ommcom: the aid was raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore; ₹50 lakh is the additional sum sanctioned on 29 December for broadcast and other activities.
Consider the following statements about the Odisha government's measures for the Dhanu Yatra announced on 29 December 2024: 1. The National School of Drama will produce a documentary on the festival. 2. An expert committee will work towards UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the festival. 3. The additional ₹50 lakh is for building a permanent stage at Bargarh. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
OrissaPOST/Ommcom: NSD will make a documentary and an expert committee will seek UNESCO ICH status; the additional ₹50 lakh is for live broadcast, a dedicated website and related activities, not a permanent stage, so statement 3 is wrong.
For how many days was State Mourning observed throughout India following the death of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Seven days
PIB (MHA): seven days of State Mourning were observed throughout India from 26 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, both days inclusive.
Where were the last rites of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh held with state honours on 28 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Nigam Bodh Ghat
PMIndia/PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat)/AIR: the PM attended the last rites and the Lok Sabha Speaker paid tribute at Nigam Bodh Ghat, Delhi, on 28 December 2024.
As decided by the Union Cabinet, what was declared in all Central Government offices and CPSUs on the day of Dr Manmohan Singh's state funeral?
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Correct answer: A — A half-day holiday
PIB (Cabinet): on the day of the state funeral, a half-day holiday was declared in all Central Government offices and CPSUs.
Consider the following statements about the official arrangements after Dr Manmohan Singh's death: 1. State Mourning ran from 26 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, both days inclusive. 2. There was to be no official entertainment during the period of State Mourning. 3. The National Flag was flown at half-mast only in Delhi. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MHA/Cabinet): mourning ran from 26 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 with no official entertainment; the flag flew at half-mast throughout India where regularly flown and in Indian Missions abroad, not only in Delhi, so statement 3 is wrong.
What was Koneru Humpy's score in winning the FIDE Women's World Rapid Championship 2024 in New York?
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Correct answer: A — 8.5/11
ChessBase India/Sportstar: Humpy finished clear first with 8.5/11; several players, including Ju Wenjun and Harika Dronavalli, scored 8/11.
Koneru Humpy's 2024 World Rapid title was her second. Where did she win her first Women's World Rapid title in 2019?
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Correct answer: C — Moscow
Sportstar: this was Humpy's second World Rapid title after she claimed the top spot in 2019 in Moscow.
Consider the following statements about Koneru Humpy's 2024 Women's World Rapid title: 1. She beat Irine Kharisma Sukandar in the final round. 2. The Prime Minister noted that the second title made her the only Indian to achieve this feat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2
Sportstar/ChessBase India/PIB: Humpy beat Irine Sukandar in round 11, and the PM said the second world rapid title made her the only Indian to achieve the feat; both statements are correct.
Where in Nepal was the 18th edition of the India-Nepal joint military exercise Surya Kiran held (31 December 2024 to 13 January 2025)?
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Correct answer: C — Saljhandi
PIB (Defence): Exercise Surya Kiran XVIII was conducted at Saljhandi, Nepal, from 31 December 2024 to 13 January 2025.
The Indian Army contingent for Exercise Surya Kiran XVIII was led by a battalion of which regiment?
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Correct answer: A — 11th Gorkha Rifles
PIB (Defence): the Indian contingent was led by a battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles; Nepal was represented by the Srijung Battalion.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Surya Kiran: 1. The December 2024 edition was its 18th edition. 2. It is an annual exercise conducted alternately in India and Nepal. 3. The Nepal Army was represented by the Srijung Battalion in the 2024-25 edition. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Defence): it was the 18th edition, it is an annual event conducted alternately in the two countries, and Nepal was represented by the Srijung Battalion; all three statements are correct.
With which batter did Nitish Kumar Reddy share a 127-run eighth-wicket partnership during his maiden Test century at the MCG on 28 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Washington Sundar
BBC/Sky Sports: Reddy put on 127 for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar, who scored 50.
What was Nitish Kumar Reddy's score at stumps on day three of the Melbourne Test, his maiden Test century?
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Correct answer: A — 105 not out
BBC/Sky Sports: Reddy was unbeaten on 105 at the close; 127 was the partnership with Sundar and 97 was his score when Sundar fell.
At which position in the batting order did Nitish Kumar Reddy bat when he scored his maiden Test century in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — No. 8
BBC/Sky Sports: Reddy was batting at No. 8 when he made his maiden century.
After the Rajasthan cabinet decision of 28 December 2024, how many districts does the State have?
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Correct answer: B — 41
CMO Rajasthan/The Hindu: Rajasthan will now have 41 districts and seven divisions.
Which of the following was among the three divisions that the Rajasthan cabinet decided not to retain in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Sikar
CMO Rajasthan/The Hindu: the three new divisions not retained were Banswara, Pali and Sikar; Ajmer, Udaipur and Bharatpur are older divisions.
The Rajasthan cabinet's December 2024 decision on new districts was based on the recommendations of a committee headed by:
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Correct answer: A — Lalit K. Panwar
The Hindu: the decision was based on a high-level committee headed by former civil servant Lalit K. Panwar.
On 28 December 2024, the Rajasthan cabinet extended the validity of the Common Eligibility Test (CET) score to:
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Correct answer: D — Three years
CMO Rajasthan: the cabinet approved making the CET score valid for three years.
According to the HCES 2023-24 factsheet released on 27 December 2024, what was the average MPCE in urban India (without imputation)?
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Correct answer: A — ₹6,996
PIB (MoSPI): average MPCE in 2023-24 was ₹6,996 in urban India without imputation; ₹7,078 is the urban figure with imputation and ₹6,459 was the 2022-23 urban figure.
Which State recorded the highest MPCE in both rural and urban areas in HCES 2023-24?
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Correct answer: C — Sikkim
PIB (MoSPI): among the States, MPCE was highest in Sikkim (rural ₹9,377, urban ₹13,927) and lowest in Chhattisgarh.
In HCES 2023-24, which State had the highest rural-urban difference in average MPCE?
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Correct answer: D — Meghalaya
PIB (MoSPI): the rural-urban difference in average MPCE among the States was highest in Meghalaya (104%), followed by Jharkhand (83%) and Chhattisgarh (80%).
Consider the following statements about HCES 2023-24: 1. The share of non-food items in average MPCE was 53% in rural and 60% in urban areas. 2. The estimates are based on data from 2,61,953 households. 3. The fieldwork was conducted from August 2022 to July 2023. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): non-food items made up 53% (rural) and 60% (urban) of MPCE, and the estimates come from 2,61,953 households. Statement 3 is wrong: HCES 2023-24 fieldwork ran from August 2023 to July 2024 (August 2022 to July 2023 was HCES 2022-23).
Which stage of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) did CAQM revoke across the NCR on 27 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Stage-III
PIB (MoEFCC): the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP revoked Stage-III of the revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect on 27 December 2024.
What was Delhi's average AQI at 7 PM on 27 December 2024, when CAQM decided to revoke GRAP Stage-III?
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Correct answer: A — 334
PIB (MoEFCC): Delhi's average AQI improved to 348 at 5 PM, 341 at 6 PM and 334 at 7 PM on 27 December 2024.
Consider the following statements about CAQM's order of 27 December 2024 revoking GRAP Stage-III: 1. All actions under Stages II and I of the revised GRAP remain in force in the NCR. 2. Construction sites issued specific closure orders for violations may resume work once Stage-III is revoked. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 only
PIB (MoEFCC): all actions under Stages II and I remain invoked, so statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: C&D sites and industrial units under specific closure orders shall not resume without a specific order from the Commission.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Sandip Shah
PIB (Commerce and Industry): Dr Sandip Shah was appointed Chairperson of NABL, a constituent board of the Quality Council of India, as announced on 27 December 2024.
Dr Sandip Shah, appointed NABL Chairperson in December 2024, succeeded whom?
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Correct answer: A — Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan
PIB (Commerce and Industry): Dr Sandip Shah succeeds Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan as Chairperson of NABL.
Which department serves as the nodal point for the Quality Council of India (QCI), whose constituent board NABL got a new Chairperson in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
PIB (Commerce and Industry): the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the nodal point for QCI.
Which institution carried out the Smart Cities Mission impact studies on smart classrooms and urban safety released on 27 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — IIM Bangalore
PIB (MoHUA): the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore carried out two studies under the SAAR (Sameeksha) series of the Smart Cities Mission.
According to the IIM Bangalore study released in December 2024, how many smart classrooms were developed by 71 smart cities in government schools?
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Correct answer: C — 9,433
PIB (MoHUA): 71 cities developed 9,433 smart classrooms in 2,398 government schools; 7,809 is the seating capacity of digital libraries in 41 cities.
Which city reported a 14% decline in overall crime after surveillance measures, as per the IIM Bangalore Smart Cities study of December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Nagpur
PIB (MoHUA): Nagpur reported a 14% decline in overall crime rates after the implementation of surveillance measures, says the IIM Bangalore study.
To which company did the Ministry of Coal issue the vesting order for the Meenakshi coal mine on 27 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Hindalco Industries Limited
PIB (Ministry of Coal): the Nominated Authority issued the vesting order for the Meenakshi coal mine to Hindalco Industries Limited on 27 December 2024.
What is the peak rated capacity of the Meenakshi coal mine vested in Hindalco in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 12 MTPA
PIB (Ministry of Coal): the Meenakshi coal mine has a peak rated capacity of 12.00 MTPA and geological reserves of about 285.23 MT.
The Meenakshi coal mine, vested in Hindalco on 27 December 2024, lies in the Ib Valley Coalfield of which State?
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Correct answer: A — Odisha
Hindalco and Business Standard: the Meenakshi coal mine is a greenfield project in the Ib Valley Coalfield of Sundargarh district, Odisha.
The FELUDA-based point-of-care test highlighted by the Ministry of Science and Technology on 27 December 2024 detects which bacterium?
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Correct answer: B — Helicobacter pylori
PIB (Science and Technology): researchers developed FELUDA as a point-of-care test to detect Helicobacter pylori and its mutations in dyspeptic patients.
Resistance of H. pylori to which antibiotic, primarily due to point mutations in its 23S ribosomal RNA gene, can be identified by the FELUDA test reported in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Clarithromycin
PIB (Science and Technology): resistance to clarithromycin is primarily attributed to point mutations in the 23S ribosomal RNA coding gene of H. pylori, and en31-FnCas9 identified the 23S rDNA mutation status in biopsy samples.
Which CSIR laboratory's researchers developed the FELUDA-based H. pylori test reported in December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-IGIB
PIB (Science and Technology): Dr Shraddha Chakraborty and colleagues at CSIR-IGIB used en31-FnCas9 in the FELUDA test for H. pylori.
INS Sarvekshak arrived at Port Louis on 26 December 2024 for a Joint Hydrographic Survey. Port Louis is in which country?
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Correct answer: C — Mauritius
PIB (Ministry of Defence): INS Sarvekshak arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, on 26 December 2024 to undertake a Joint Hydrographic Survey.
What was the purpose of INS Sarvekshak's visit to Port Louis in December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — A Joint Hydrographic Survey
PIB (Ministry of Defence): INS Sarvekshak arrived at Port Louis to undertake a Joint Hydrographic Survey, which will help Mauritius plan maritime infrastructure, resource management and coastal development.
Who, as High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, received INS Sarvekshak at Port Louis on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Anurag Srivastava
PIB (Ministry of Defence): the ship was received by Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, along with Capt C.G. Binoop, Commandant of the Mauritius National Coast Guard.
The DAYALU-I scheme, under which ₹144.73 crore was transferred to 3,882 beneficiaries on 27 December 2024, belongs to which State?
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Correct answer: C — Haryana
Babushahi and Naveen Times (Haryana government release): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini transferred ₹144.73 crore to 3,882 beneficiaries under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU-I).
How much did the Haryana Chief Minister transfer to 3,882 beneficiaries under the DAYALU-I scheme on 27 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — ₹144.73 crore
Babushahi and Naveen Times: ₹144.73 crore was transferred to 3,882 beneficiaries; ₹763.69 crore is the amount disbursed earlier to 20,399 families.
Haryana's DAYALU-I scheme supports families below what annual income limit, as verified in the Family Information Data Repository?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1.80 lakh
Babushahi and Naveen Times: DAYALU-I provides assistance to families with an annual income of less than ₹1.80 lakh, as verified through the Family Information Data Repository (FIDR).
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who died on 26 December 2024, was born in which village?
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Correct answer: A — Gah, West Punjab
PIB (Cabinet resolution): Dr Manmohan Singh was born on 26 September 1932 in village Gah, West Punjab, in the Punjab province of undivided India.
During which period did Dr Manmohan Singh serve as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India?
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Correct answer: C — September 1982 to January 1985
PIB (Cabinet resolution): Dr Manmohan Singh was Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from September 1982 to January 1985; November 1976 to April 1980 was his tenure as DEA Secretary and April 1980 to September 1982 as Member Secretary, Planning Commission.
In which year was Dr Manmohan Singh conferred the Padma Vibhushan?
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Correct answer: D — 1987
PIB (Cabinet resolution): Dr Manmohan Singh received the Padma Vibhushan in 1987; 1956 was the Adam Smith Prize, 1993 the Euromoney Finance Minister of the Year award and 1995 the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress.
Consider the following statements about Dr Manmohan Singh: 1. He served as India's Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996. 2. He was Chief Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Finance from 1972 to 1976. 3. He received his D.Phil from the University of Cambridge in 1962. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Cabinet resolution): he was Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 and CEA from 1972 to 1976. Statement 3 is wrong: his D.Phil (1962) was from the University of Oxford; from Cambridge he received the Economics Tripos in 1957.
Which edition of the PRAGATI interaction did Prime Minister Narendra Modi chair on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 45th
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister chaired the meeting of the 45th edition of PRAGATI on 26 December 2024.
Of the eight projects reviewed at the 45th PRAGATI meeting in December 2024, how many were metro projects?
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Correct answer: B — Six
PIB (PMO): the eight projects reviewed included six metro projects of urban transport and one project each in road connectivity and thermal power, with a combined cost of more than ₹1 lakh crore.
Dr Arunish Chawla took charge on 26 December 2024 as Secretary of which department of the Ministry of Finance?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Revenue
PIB (Ministry of Finance): Dr Arunish Chawla took charge as Secretary, Department of Revenue, on 26 December 2024.
Before becoming Revenue Secretary in December 2024, Dr Arunish Chawla was Secretary of which department since 1 November 2023?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Pharmaceuticals
PIB (Ministry of Finance): Dr Chawla had served as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, since 1 November 2023.
Which edition of Veer Baal Diwas was observed at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 3rd
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister addressed the gathering on the occasion of the 3rd Veer Baal Diwas at Bharat Mandapam on 26 December 2024.
Which campaign did the Prime Minister launch at the Veer Baal Diwas programme on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister launched the 'Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan' at the Veer Baal Diwas programme at Bharat Mandapam.
In his Veer Baal Diwas 2024 address, the Prime Minister said the Sahibzadas chose to embrace the death sentence ordered by whom?
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Correct answer: D — Wazir Khan
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister said the Sahibzadas rejected the temptations of the Mughal Sultanate and chose to embrace the death sentence ordered by Wazir Khan.
Under the Post Office Regulations, 2024, the limit for remittance through money order was raised to what amount?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
PIB (Ministry of Communications): the money order remittance limit was raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to help disburse social welfare scheme payments.
From which date did the Post Office Rules, 2024 and Post Office Regulations, 2024 come into force?
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Correct answer: C — 16 December 2024
PIB (Ministry of Communications): the Rules and Regulations came into force w.e.f. 16 December 2024; 24 December 2023 is when the Post Office Act, 2023 was enacted and 18 June 2024 when the Act took effect.
How many rules and regulations together make up the new subordinate legislation under the Post Office Act, 2023?
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Correct answer: B — 19 rules and 180 regulations
PIB (Ministry of Communications): the new Rules and Regulations contain 19 rules and 180 regulations, framed with the motto 'Dak Sewa Jan Sewa'.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on 26 December 2024 gave administrative approval of ₹28,798 crore for projects under which river link project?
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Correct answer: A — Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal
Times of India and Devdiscourse: the MP cabinet gave administrative approval of ₹28,798 crore for projects under the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river link project.
How much new irrigated area will the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal projects approved by the MP cabinet in December 2024 create in Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: D — 4.73 lakh hectares
Times of India, Deccan Chronicle and Devdiscourse: the projects will provide new irrigation of 4.73 lakh hectares in 10 districts; 3.62 lakh hectares is the area covered by modernisation of the Chambal right main canal.
Which rules did the Madhya Pradesh cabinet approve on 26 December 2024 to enable digital registration of births and deaths?
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Correct answer: B — MP Birth and Death Registration Rules, 2024
Times of India, Deccan Chronicle and Devdiscourse: the cabinet approved the Madhya Pradesh Birth and Death Registration Rules, 2024, bringing in digital registration of births and deaths.
What penalty did the CCPA impose on each of Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS in December 2024 for misleading UPSC result advertisements?
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Correct answer: D — ₹7 lakh
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA imposed a penalty of ₹7 lakh each on Vajirao & Reddy Institute and StudyIQ IAS, and ₹1 lakh on Edge IAS.
Who headed the Central Consumer Protection Authority as Chief Commissioner when it penalised UPSC coaching institutes in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Nidhi Khare
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA is headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare; Anupam Mishra is a Commissioner.
The CCPA found that all 617 successful candidates claimed by Vajirao & Reddy Institute for UPSC CSE 2022 had been enrolled in which course?
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Correct answer: C — Interview Guidance Programme
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA found that all the claimed 617 successful candidates were enrolled in the Interview Guidance Programme, which the advertisement did not disclose.
According to data released by the ECI on 26 December 2024, which parliamentary constituency recorded the highest voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
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Correct answer: D — Dhubri
PIB (ECI): the PC with the highest turnout was Dhubri (Assam) at 92.3%.
Which parliamentary constituency recorded the lowest turnout (38.7%) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as per ECI data released in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Srinagar
PIB (ECI): the PC with the lowest turnout was Srinagar (J&K) at 38.7%, compared to 14.4% in 2019.
Which parliamentary constituency received the highest number of nominations (114) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
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Correct answer: C — Malkajgiri
PIB (ECI): the PC with the highest number of nominations was Malkajgiri (Telangana) with 114.
Consider the following statements based on ECI data on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections released on 26 December 2024: 1. The turnout of female electors (65.78%) was higher than that of male electors (65.55%). 2. NOTA's vote share rose compared to the 2019 elections. 3. Puducherry had the highest share of female electors among States/UTs. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
PIB (ECI): 65.78% of female electors voted against 65.55% of male electors, and Puducherry had the highest female elector share (53.03%). Statement 2 is wrong: NOTA got 0.99% in 2024, down from 1.06% in 2019.
How many children received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from the President on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 17
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on 17 children in seven categories on 26 December 2024.
Where was the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar ceremony held on 26 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre
PIB (President's Secretariat): the awards were conferred at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on 26 December 2024; Bharat Mandapam hosted the Veer Baal Diwas programme the same day.
Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar conferred on 26 December 2024: 1. The awardees were 7 boys and 10 girls from 14 States/UTs. 2. Environment was one of the seven award categories. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MWCD): 17 children (7 boys and 10 girls) from 14 States/UTs were selected, and the seven categories are Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, Sports and Environment. Both statements are correct.
Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi lay the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Khajuraho
PIB (PMO): the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, on the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Ken-Betwa link project, whose foundation stone was laid in December 2024, is the country's first river interlinking project under which plan?
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Correct answer: C — National Perspective Plan
PIB (PMO): Ken-Betwa is the country's first interlinking of rivers project under the National Perspective Plan.
Which solar project did the Prime Minister inaugurate at Khajuraho on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Omkareshwar floating solar project
PIB (PMO): along with the Ken-Betwa foundation stone, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Omkareshwar floating solar project.
Consider the following statements about the Khajuraho event of 25 December 2024: 1. The Prime Minister said Madhya Pradesh had become the first State to initiate two projects under the river linking campaign. 2. Hydropower projects under Ken-Betwa will contribute more than 100 MW of green energy. 3. The foundation stone of 1,153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings was laid. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (PMO): the PM said MP was the first State to initiate two river linking projects; the hydropower projects will contribute more than 100 MW; and he laid the foundation stone of 1,153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings. All three statements are correct.
With which body did the Department of Science and Technology announce an undergraduate curriculum in quantum technologies on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — AICTE
PIB (Science and Technology): DST, in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), announced a dedicated undergraduate curriculum for quantum.
From which semester can engineering students take the UG minor in quantum technologies announced in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Third or fourth semester
PIB (Science and Technology): DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar said all engineering students, irrespective of discipline, can undertake the UG minor in quantum technologies from their third or fourth semester.
The undergraduate quantum curriculum announced by DST and AICTE in December 2024 is part of which mission?
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Correct answer: D — National Quantum Mission
PIB (Science and Technology): the curriculum was announced to create a quantum-trained ecosystem in India as part of the National Quantum Mission.
Osamu Suzuki, who died on 25 December 2024, was instrumental in the formation of Maruti Udyog Limited in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 1981
Maruti Suzuki India statement: Osamu Suzuki's foresight and leadership were instrumental in the formation of Maruti Udyog Limited in 1981.
In which year did India confer the Padma Bhushan on Osamu Suzuki?
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Correct answer: D — 2007
Suzuki Motor Corporation notice: among his awards, Osamu Suzuki received the Padma Bhushan from India in March 2007.
What position did Osamu Suzuki hold at Maruti Suzuki India Limited at the time of his death in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Director and Honorary Chairman
Maruti Suzuki India statement: Osamu Suzuki was Senior Advisor, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Director & Honorary Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
In how many districts were zero malaria cases reported in 2023, according to the Health Ministry's update of 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 122
PIB (Health Ministry): in 2023, zero malaria cases were reported in 122 districts across various States.
Which two States remained in the high-burden Category 3 for malaria in 2023, as per the Health Ministry's December 2024 update?
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Correct answer: A — Mizoram and Tripura
PIB (Health Ministry): of the 10 States/UTs in Category 3 in 2015, only Mizoram and Tripura remained in Category 3 in 2023; Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Meghalaya moved to Category 2.
What is the period of India's National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination cited in the Health Ministry's December 2024 update?
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Correct answer: C — 2023-2027
PIB (Health Ministry): the government is working through the National Framework for Malaria Elimination and the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023-2027), aiming for malaria-free status by 2030.
How many new Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launch on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 1,542
OdishaBytes and The New Indian Express: CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched 1,542 new MPACS; 2,711 was the earlier PACS count and 4,253 the new total.
With the launch of new MPACS in December 2024, how many PACS does Odisha now have in total?
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Correct answer: A — 4,253
OdishaBytes and The New Indian Express: the State had 2,711 PACS, and with the 1,542 new MPACS the total reached 4,253.
How many PACS will Odisha develop as model societies in the first phase, as announced on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 77
OdishaBytes and The New Indian Express: the CM announced that 77 PACS will be developed as model societies in the first phase; 54 is the number of activities taken up.
Rajasthan announced on Good Governance Day 2024 that an Atal Gyan Kendra will be set up in every:
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Correct answer: A — Gram panchayat
Times of India and Devdiscourse (PTI): CM Bhajanlal Sharma announced that the State will open an Atal Gyan Kendra in every gram panchayat and appoint Atal Preraks.
About how much will the Rajasthan government spend on developing Atal Gyan Kendras, as announced on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹500 crore
Times of India and Devdiscourse (PTI): the Atal Gyan Kendras will require about ₹500 crore; ₹23,000 crore relates to a separate crop loan scheme.
What did Rajasthan decide to rename the computer rooms of government schools on Good Governance Day 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Atal Computer Rooms
Times of India and Devdiscourse (PTI): the computer rooms of government schools will be named Atal Computer Rooms, and the e-governance award renamed the Atal e-governance award.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair, who died on 25 December 2024, was a recipient of which honour, described as India's highest literary honour?
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Correct answer: D — Jnanpith Award
BBC, The Indian Express and Mathrubhumi: M.T. Vasudevan Nair was a Jnanpith awardee; the BBC describes the Jnanpith as India's highest literary honour.
For how many days did the Kerala government declare official mourning after M.T. Vasudevan Nair's death in December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Two days
The Indian Express and Mathrubhumi: the Kerala government declared two days of mourning, on 26 and 27 December 2024.
In which year was M.T. Vasudevan Nair awarded the Padma Bhushan?
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Correct answer: A — 2005
The Indian Express and Mathrubhumi: M.T. Vasudevan Nair was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2005.