UPPSC Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In his departure statement of 16 November 2024, PM Modi said he would attend the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil in which capacity?
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Correct answer: B — As a Troika member
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said he would attend the 19th G20 Summit as a Troika member.
PM Modi's November 2024 visit to Guyana was described as the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over how many years?
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Correct answer: D — 50 years
PIB (PMO): the departure statement said it would be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in over 50 years.
Which summit did PM Modi say he would join in Guyana during his November 2024 visit?
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Correct answer: C — 2nd India-CARICOM Summit
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said he would join Caribbean leaders for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.
As per WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, what is India's global rank in patent applications?
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Correct answer: A — 6th
PIB: India ranks 6th globally in patent applications, with 64,480 filings in 2023.
As per WIPI 2024, what share of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents, the first time above half?
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Correct answer: D — 55.2%
PIB: for the first time, more than half (55.2%) of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents.
Consider the following about India in WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024: 1. India had 64,480 patent filings in 2023. 2. Patents granted in India in 2023 fell compared with the previous year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: India had 64,480 filings in 2023, and patents granted rose 149.4% (not fell). So only 1 is correct.
In the India-Japan Memorandum of Implementation signed on 15 November 2024, what does UNICORN stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Unified Complex Radio Antenna
PIB (Defence): UNICORN is the Unified Complex Radio Antenna, a mast with integrated communication systems that improves stealth.
Which Indian company will co-develop the UNICORN mast with Japanese collaboration?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Ltd
PIB (Defence): the UNICORN masts will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited in India with Japanese collaboration.
Consider the following about the UNICORN Memorandum of Implementation (November 2024): 1. When implemented, it will be the first case of co-development / co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan. 2. It was signed in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Defence): it will be the first India-Japan defence co-development / co-production case, and it was signed at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, not New Delhi. So only 1 is correct.
Under the first trilateral power transaction inaugurated on 15 November 2024, Nepal is to export up to how much power to Bangladesh through the Indian grid?
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Correct answer: D — 40 MW
PIB (Power): India facilitated export of up to 40 MW from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.
The tripartite power sales agreement for Nepal-to-Bangladesh power trade through India was signed on 3 October 2024 at:
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Correct answer: A — Kathmandu
PIB (Power): the agreement between NVVN, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed on 3 October 2024 in Kathmandu.
Consider the following about the first trilateral power transaction (November 2024): 1. Power flows from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid. 2. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam is a party to the tripartite power sales agreement. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Power): both are correct; the agreement is between NVVN, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board.
At CoP29 in November 2024, India said developed countries must provide and mobilise at least how much climate finance every year till 2030?
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Correct answer: B — USD 1.3 trillion
PIB (MoEFCC): India said developed countries need to commit to provide and mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion every year till 2030.
On whose behalf did India deliver a statement at the High-Level Ministerial on Climate Finance at CoP29 on 14 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Like-Minded Developing Countries
PIB (MoEFCC): India intervened on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs).
Consider the following about India's LMDC statement at CoP29 (14 November 2024): 1. It was delivered by India's lead negotiator Naresh Pal Gangwar. 2. It proposed turning the New Collective Quantified Goal into an investment goal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoEFCC): Naresh Pal Gangwar delivered it, and the statement said the NCQG cannot be changed into an investment goal. So only 1 is correct.
What was the annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 2.36%
PIB (Commerce): WPI inflation was 2.36% (provisional) in October 2024. 0.97% was the month-on-month change.
What is the base year of India's Wholesale Price Index used for the October 2024 data?
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Correct answer: C — 2011-12
PIB (Commerce): the WPI release for October 2024 uses base year 2011-12.
By what percentage did India's merchandise exports grow in October 2024 over October 2023?
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Correct answer: D — 17.23%
PIB (Commerce): merchandise exports were USD 39.20 billion in October 2024 against USD 33.43 billion in October 2023, growth of 17.23%.
India's overall exports (merchandise and services) for April-October 2024 were estimated at:
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Correct answer: A — USD 468.27 billion
PIB (Commerce): overall exports for April-October 2024 were estimated at USD 468.27 billion, against USD 436.48 billion a year earlier.
Which DRDO laboratory designed and developed the precision-strike (guided) variant of the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System?
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Correct answer: B — Armament Research and Development Establishment
PIB (Defence): the guided Pinaka was designed and developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, with RCI, DRDL, HEMRL and PXE.
Consider the following about the Guided Pinaka PSQR validation trials (November 2024): 1. The flight tests were conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges. 2. Twelve rockets from each production agency were tested. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Defence): both are correct.
What does PAIR stand for in the programme announced by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation in November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research
PIB (S&T): PAIR is the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research programme.
In the first phase of ANRF's PAIR programme, hub institutions will include institutions within the top how many of the NIRF overall ranking?
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Correct answer: D — 25
PIB (S&T): hubs will be institutions in the top 25 NIRF overall ranking, plus Institutions of National Importance in the top 50.
Operation Dronagiri, launched on 14 November 2024, is a pilot project under which policy?
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Correct answer: B — National Geospatial Policy 2022
PIB (S&T): Operation Dronagiri is a pilot project under the National Geospatial Policy 2022.
Which of the following states is NOT in the first phase of Operation Dronagiri?
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Correct answer: C — Kerala
PIB (S&T): the first phase covers Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Kerala is not included.
Children's Day in India, observed on 14 November, marks the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. In which year was he born?
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Correct answer: C — 1889
NDTV and Mathrubhumi: Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889; Children's Day marks his birth anniversary.
Before it was moved to 14 November in 1964, on which date did India observe Children's Day?
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Correct answer: D — 20 November
NDTV and Mathrubhumi: India earlier observed Children's Day on 20 November, the UN's Universal Children's Day, and shifted it to 14 November in 1964.
In November 2024, the government approved the first all-women battalion of which force?
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Correct answer: B — CISF
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah said the government approved the first all-women battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
According to the MHA in November 2024, women make up what share of the CISF at present?
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Correct answer: C — More than 7%
PIB (MHA): the number of women in CISF is more than 7% at present.
The proposal for an all-women CISF battalion was initiated on the Home Minister's direction at which CISF Day function?
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Correct answer: B — 53rd
PIB (MHA): the proposal was initiated on Amit Shah's direction at the 53rd CISF Day function.
While issuing coaching-sector advertisement guidelines in November 2024, the CCPA said it had imposed penalties on how many coaching institutes?
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Correct answer: B — 18
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA took suo motu action against 45 coaching centres and imposed penalties of Rs 54,60,000 on 18 institutes.
Who was the Chief Commissioner of the Central Consumer Protection Authority when it issued the coaching guidelines in November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Nidhi Khare
PIB (Consumer Affairs): Smt Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner, CCPA, shared details of the guidelines.
As of October 2024, India's renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity stood at:
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Correct answer: D — 203.18 GW
PIB (MNRE): according to the CEA, RE-based generation capacity stood at 203.18 GW as of October 2024.
As of October 2024, renewable energy made up what share of India's total installed electricity capacity?
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Correct answer: B — More than 46.3%
PIB (MNRE): renewable energy now constitutes more than 46.3% of total capacity (203.18 GW of 452.69 GW).
Which source led India's renewable energy capacity as of October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Solar power
PIB (MNRE): solar power leads with 92.12 GW, followed by wind power with 47.72 GW.
Which organisation conducted the maiden 'Antariksha Abhyas-2024' (11–13 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Defence Space Agency
PIB (MoD): the Defence Space Agency of HQ Integrated Defence Staff conducted Antariksha Abhyas-2024.
'Antariksha Abhyas-2024' was what kind of exercise?
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Correct answer: B — A Space Table Top Exercise
PIB (MoD): Antariksha Abhyas-2024 was a Space Table Top Exercise.
Consider the following about 'Antariksha Abhyas-2024': 1. It was the third edition of the exercise. 2. It was conducted by ISRO. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
PIB (MoD): it was the maiden edition and was conducted by the Defence Space Agency of HQ IDS. Neither statement is correct.
The Union Cabinet approved the Mines Ministry's MoU with the International Energy Agency on critical minerals on:
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Correct answer: C — 3 October 2024
PIB (Mines): approval for signing the MoU was accorded by the Union Cabinet on 3 October 2024; it was signed on 13 November 2024.
Who signed the November 2024 critical minerals MoU with India on behalf of the International Energy Agency?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Fatih Birol
PIB (Mines): the MoU was signed by Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao and IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol.
According to WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, where does India rank globally for patent applications?
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Correct answer: C — Sixth
PIB (Commerce): India ranks sixth globally for patents with 64,480 applications.
By how much did India's patent applications grow in 2023, the fastest among the top 20 origins, as per WIPI 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 15.7%
PIB (Commerce): India recorded the fastest growth in patent applications (+15.7%) in 2023 among the top 20 origins. 36.4% is design growth, 6.1% trademark growth and 55.2% the resident share.
In WIPI 2024, India ranked where globally in trademark filings?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth
PIB (Commerce): India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase in 2023. (Its trademark office holds the second-largest number of active registrations.)
All-India year-on-year CPI inflation for October 2024, released on 12 November 2024, was:
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Correct answer: A — 6.21%
PIB (MoSPI): year-on-year CPI inflation for October 2024 is 6.21%; 6.68% is the rural rate.
Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) inflation for October 2024 (provisional) was:
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Correct answer: D — 10.87%
PIB (MoSPI): all-India CFPI inflation for October 2024 is 10.87% (provisional); 11.09% is the urban rate.
What was the gross NPA ratio of public sector banks as of September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 3.12%
PIB (Finance): gross and net NPA stood at 3.12% and 0.63% as on September 2024.
What was the combined net profit of public sector banks in H1 FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — ₹85,520 crore
PIB (Finance): net profit for H1 FY25 was ₹85,520 crore (25.6% YoY growth); ₹1,50,023 crore was the operating profit.
As of September 2024, the CRAR of public sector banks was 15.43% against a regulatory requirement of:
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Correct answer: D — 11.5%
PIB (Finance): CRAR stood at 15.43% in September 2024 against the regulatory requirement of 11.5%.
As per Quick Estimates released on 12 November 2024, India's IIP grew by how much in September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 3.1%
PIB (MoSPI): the IIP growth rate for September 2024 is 3.1%, against (-)0.1% in August 2024.
In September 2024, the manufacturing sector of the IIP grew by:
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Correct answer: C — 3.9%
PIB (MoSPI): mining, manufacturing and electricity grew 0.2%, 3.9% and 0.5% respectively in September 2024.
Scientists from which institute discovered the new plant species Dicliptera polymorpha in the northern Western Ghats (announced November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
PIB (DST): the discovery was made by a team led by Dr Mandar Datar of the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under DST.
Consider the following about Dicliptera polymorpha: 1. It is fire-resilient (pyrophytic) and shows a second burst of flowering after grassland fires. 2. It was discovered in the Eastern Ghats. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (DST): the species is pyrophytic with a dual-blooming pattern, but it was found in the northern Western Ghats, not the Eastern Ghats. So only 1 is correct.
In November 2024, PM Modi congratulated Dr Navin Ramgoolam on his election victory as Prime Minister-elect of which country?
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Correct answer: D — Mauritius
PIB (PMO): the PM congratulated Prime Minister-elect Dr Navin Ramgoolam on his historic election victory in Mauritius.
Which DRDO laboratory developed indigenous processes for 4-inch Silicon Carbide wafers and GaN HEMT-based MMICs (announced November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Solid State Physics Laboratory
PIB (MoD): the Solid State Physics Laboratory, a DRDO laboratory, developed these processes.
What is the diameter of the indigenous Silicon Carbide wafers developed by DRDO's SSPL?
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Correct answer: D — 4 inches
PIB (MoD): SSPL developed processes for growing and manufacturing 4-inch diameter SiC wafers.
Where has limited production of indigenous GaN-on-SiC MMICs been established?
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Correct answer: A — GAETEC, Hyderabad
PIB (MoD): indigenous GaN-on-SiC MMICs with limited production capability have been established at GAETEC, Hyderabad.
Where was the IAF's C-295 Full Motion Simulator facility inaugurated on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Air Force Station Agra
PIB (MoD): the C-295 Full Motion Simulator facility was inaugurated on 11 November 2024 at Air Force Station Agra.
The C-295 Full Motion Simulator at Agra was inaugurated by the AOC-in-C of which IAF command?
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Correct answer: B — Central Air Command
PIB (MoD): Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AOC-in-C, Central Air Command (CAC), inaugurated the facility.
Denis Manturov, who called on PM Modi on 11 November 2024, holds which post?
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Correct answer: B — First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia
PIB (PMO): Denis Manturov is the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
While meeting Denis Manturov, PM Modi referred to decisions taken during his recent meetings with President Putin in which cities?
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Correct answer: B — Moscow and Kazan
PIB (PMO): the PM welcomed efforts to implement decisions taken during his recent visits and meetings with President Putin in Moscow and Kazan.
In November 2024, the High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah approved fire-services projects worth how much for Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal?
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Correct answer: D — ₹725.62 crore
PIB (MHA): the committee approved three projects of ₹725.62 crore; ₹5,000 crore is the NDRF allocation for the scheme and ₹2,542.12 crore the earlier approvals for 15 states.
The Centre's ₹5,000 crore allocation for 'Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States' is under which fund?
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Correct answer: B — National Disaster Response Fund
PIB (MHA): the Central Government has allocated ₹5,000 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the scheme.
Of the three states in the November 2024 fire-services approval, which received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: A — West Bengal
PIB (MHA): West Bengal ₹376.76 crore, Odisha ₹201.10 crore and Chhattisgarh ₹147.76 crore.
Which edition of the Indian Coast Guard–Sri Lanka Coast Guard Annual High Level Meeting was held in Colombo on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 7th
PIB (MoD): the ICG and SLCG conducted the 7th Annual High Level Meeting in Colombo on 11 November 2024; the 8th will be hosted by ICG in 2025.
The ICG–SLCG Annual High Level Meeting follows a mechanism set out in an MoU signed in:
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Correct answer: A — May 2018
PIB (MoD): the meeting follows the institutionalised mechanism outlined in the MoU signed between both agencies in May 2018.
Who led the Indian Coast Guard delegation at the 7th ICG–SLCG High Level Meeting in Colombo (November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — S Paramesh
PIB (MoD): a four-member ICG delegation was led by Director General S Paramesh.
The nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 (1–30 November 2024) is being held at how many locations?
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Correct answer: C — 1,900 locations in 800 cities/districts
PIB (DoPPW): Campaign 3.0 is being organised at 1,900 locations in 800 cities/districts; 600 locations in 100 cities was Campaign 2.0 in 2023.
How many Digital Life Certificates were generated in the first week of DLC Campaign 3.0 in November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Over 37 lakh
PIB (DoPPW): more than 37 lakh DLCs were generated within the first week of the launch of DLC Campaign 3.0.
Consider the following about the Digital Life Certificate campaigns: 1. Campaign 2.0 was held in November 2023 at 600 locations in 100 cities. 2. Campaign 3.0 promotes face authentication for submitting DLCs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (DoPPW): Campaign 2.0 ran from 1 to 30 November 2023 at 600 locations in 100 cities, and Campaign 3.0 promotes DLC submission through face authentication. Both are correct.
According to the PM on 10 November 2024, Special Campaigns have earned how much for the exchequer since 2021 just by disposing of scrap?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2,364 crore
PIB (PMO): Special Campaign 4.0 achieved outcomes including ₹2,364 crore (since 2021) for the exchequer simply by disposing of scrap.
PM Modi lauded Special Campaign 4.0 on 10 November 2024 while responding to a post by which Union Minister?
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Correct answer: B — Jitendra Singh
PIB (PMO): the PM was responding to a post by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on X.
Who are the two crew members of INSV Tarini on Navika Sagar Parikrama II?
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Correct answer: D — Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A
PIB (MoD): the Indian Navy duo of Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A is sailing INSV Tarini on Navika Sagar Parikrama II.
At which port did INSV Tarini arrive on 9 November 2024 during Navika Sagar Parikrama II?
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Correct answer: B — Fremantle, Australia
PIB (MoD): INSV Tarini arrived at Fremantle, Australia on 9 November 2024 after covering 4,900 nm from Goa.
Navika Sagar Parikrama II was flagged off from Goa by the Chief of the Naval Staff on:
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Correct answer: C — 2 October 2024
PIB (MoD): the expedition was flagged off from Goa by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi on 2 October 2024.