UPSC Civil Services 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 size of the Flipkart Leap Ventures fund on which DPIIT's December 2024 MoU with Flipkart builds?
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Correct answer: D — USD 100 million
PIB (9 Dec 2024): the partnership builds on existing efforts under the Flipkart Leap and Ventures initiative with its USD 100 mn fund.
The 'Amrit Gyaan Kosh' portal launched by Dr Jitendra Singh on 9 December 2024 aims to strengthen:
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Correct answer: D — Governance training
PIB (9 Dec 2024): Dr Jitendra Singh launched the 'Amrit Gyaan Kosh' Portal to strengthen governance training.
Which capital city did Syrian rebel forces seize on 8 December 2024, ending Bashar al-Assad's rule?
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Correct answer: D — Damascus
Reuters (8 Dec 2024): Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia; The Hindu also reports rebels claimed control of Damascus.
To which country did Bashar al-Assad flee after rebels took Damascus on 8 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Russia
Reuters (8 Dec 2024) and The Hindu (9 Dec 2024): President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia; Reuters reports Moscow gave asylum to Assad and his family.
In its statement of 9 December 2024 on Syria, India's Ministry of External Affairs advocated:
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Correct answer: B — A peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process
The Hindu and Indian Express (9 Dec 2024): the MEA said 'We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society.'
The fall of Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024 ended his family's rule over Syria that had lasted roughly:
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Correct answer: C — Five decades
Reuters (8 Dec 2024): the capture of Damascus ended more than five decades of the Assad family's rule; The Hindu (9 Dec 2024) calls it the end of the 50-year-long Assad family rule.
Consider the following about the developments in Syria in December 2024: 1. President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after rebels took Damascus. 2. India's MEA underlined the need for all parties to work towards preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Reuters (8 Dec 2024): Assad fled to Russia as rebels seized Damascus. The Hindu and Indian Express (9 Dec 2024): the MEA underlined the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.
By what margin did Australia beat India in the second Test at Adelaide on 8 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 10 wickets
ESPNcricinfo and BBC (8 Dec 2024): Australia won by 10 wickets, chasing 19 without loss to level the five-match series 1-1.
Who was named Player of the Match in the Adelaide Test between Australia and India that ended on 8 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Travis Head
ESPNcricinfo and BBC (8 Dec 2024): Travis Head, who scored 140, was Player of the Match; Cummins took 5-57 and Starc 6-48 in the match.
Who won Ghana's presidential election of December 2024 after his rival conceded on 8 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — John Dramani Mahama
Reuters and BBC (8 Dec 2024): Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat and congratulated former President John Dramani Mahama on his victory.
Mahamudu Bawumia, who conceded Ghana's presidential election on 8 December 2024, held which office at the time?
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Correct answer: A — Vice-President of Ghana
Reuters and BBC (8 Dec 2024): Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat in Saturday's election.
Who won the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of Formula One on 8 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Lando Norris
Formula1.com and Reuters (8 Dec 2024): Lando Norris won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
McLaren's 2024 Formula One constructors' championship, sealed on 8 December 2024, was its first since:
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Correct answer: C — 1998
Formula1.com and Reuters (8 Dec 2024): Norris's win earned McLaren its first constructors' title since 1998, finishing 14 points clear of Ferrari.
SAARC Charter Day is observed on 8 December because the SAARC Charter was adopted on that date in 1985 at the first SAARC Summit held in:
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Correct answer: D — Dhaka
Spotlight Nepal and The Rising Nepal (8 Dec 2024): SAARC was launched by South Asian Heads of State/Government at their first summit in Dhaka by adopting the Charter on 8 December 1985.
Who was the Secretary General of SAARC who issued a message on the 40th SAARC Charter Day on 8 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Md. Golam Sarwar
Spotlight Nepal and The Rising Nepal (8 Dec 2024): SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar issued a message to mark the 40th Charter Day.
George Jacob Koovakad, created a Cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024, was serving as the coordinator of:
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Correct answer: C — The Pope's Apostolic Journeys
Holy See Press Office (7 Dec 2024): among the 21 new Cardinals was George Jacob Koovakad, titular archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans, coordinator of Apostolic Journeys.
How many new Cardinals did Pope Francis create at the Ordinary Public Consistory on 7 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 21
Holy See Press Office (7 Dec 2024): the Holy Father held an Ordinary Public Consistory in the Vatican Basilica for the creation of 21 new Cardinals.
Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, created on 7 December 2024, is incardinated in which Indian archdiocese, according to his official Holy See biography?
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Correct answer: A — Changanacherry
Holy See Press Office biography: Koovakad was born in Chethipuzha, India, on 11 August 1973, ordained in 2004 and incardinated in Changanacherry.
On which date is Armed Forces Flag Day observed in India, as marked in 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 7 December
PIB (7 Dec 2024): Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh's video message was issued on the occasion of AFFD on December 07, 2024, and the PM marked Armed Forces Flag Day the same day.
According to Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on 7 December 2024, contributing to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund helps ensure the welfare of:
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Correct answer: A — Serving and retired soldiers and their families
PIB (7 Dec 2024): Rajnath Singh termed it the collective responsibility of the country to ensure the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, as well as their families.
In the MoU signed with NMDFC on 7 December 2024 to promote entrepreneurship among marginalised communities, DICCI stands for:
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Correct answer: D — Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PIB (7 Dec 2024): the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) signed an MoU to promote entrepreneurship among marginalised communities.
At what level did the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee keep the policy repo rate on 6 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 6.50%
RBI Governor's Statement (6 Dec 2024): the MPC decided by a 4 to 2 majority to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.50 per cent; the SDF rate remains 6.25% and the MSF rate and Bank Rate 6.75%.
To what level did the RBI decide on 6 December 2024 to reduce the cash reserve ratio (CRR) of banks?
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Correct answer: D — 4.00% of NDTL
RBI (6 Dec 2024): the CRR of all banks is reduced by 50 bps in two equal tranches of 25 bps each to 4.0 per cent of NDTL, from the fortnights beginning December 14 and December 28, 2024, releasing about Rs 1.16 lakh crore.
What real GDP growth did the RBI project for 2024-25 in its policy of 6 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 6.6%
RBI Governor's Statement (6 Dec 2024): real GDP growth for 2024-25 is now projected at 6.6 per cent, with Q3 at 6.8 per cent and Q4 at 7.2 per cent.
On 6 December 2024, the RBI raised the limit for collateral-free agriculture loans to how much per borrower?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 2 lakh
RBI Governor's Statement (6 Dec 2024): the limit for collateral-free agriculture loans, last revised in 2019, is increased from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per borrower.
Consider the following about the RBI MPC decision of 6 December 2024: 1. The decision to keep the repo rate unchanged was taken by a 4 to 2 majority. 2. The MPC changed its stance from 'neutral' to 'accommodative'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. RBI (6 Dec 2024): the MPC decided by a 4 to 2 majority to keep the repo rate at 6.50 per cent and decided unanimously to continue with the 'neutral' stance.
How many new Navodaya Vidyalayas did the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approve on 6 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 28
PIB (6 Dec 2024): the CCEA approved setting up of 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas in the uncovered districts of the country; the same day it approved 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas.
What is the total estimated fund requirement for the 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas approved on 6 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 2,359.82 crore
PIB (6 Dec 2024): the total estimated requirement is Rs 2,359.82 crore over 2024-25 to 2028-29, including capital expenditure of Rs 1,944.19 crore and operational expenditure of Rs 415.63 crore.
How many new Kendriya Vidyalayas did the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approve on 6 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 85
PIB (6 Dec 2024): the CCEA approved opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas under the civil/defence sector across the country.
Which existing Kendriya Vidyalaya did the Cabinet approve for expansion on 6 December 2024 by adding two sections in all classes?
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Correct answer: B — KV Shivamogga
PIB (6 Dec 2024): the CCEA approved expansion of one existing KV, KV Shivamogga, Karnataka, by adding two additional sections in all the classes.
As stated in the Cabinet decision of 6 December 2024, the three Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning abroad are in:
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Correct answer: A — Moscow, Kathmandu and Tehran
PIB (6 Dec 2024): there are 1,256 functional KVs, including 03 abroad, viz. Moscow, Kathmandu and Tehran, with about 13.56 lakh students.
The MoU between the Geological Survey of India and Italy's CNR-IRPI, approved by the Union Cabinet on 6 December 2024, relates to:
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Correct answer: C — Landslide forecasting and early warning
PIB (10 Dec 2024): the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 06.12.2024 approved the MoU between GSI and CNR-IRPI, Italy, for collaboration in landslide forecast and early warning.
Where has the Geological Survey of India set up its National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC)?
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Correct answer: D — Kolkata
PIB (10 Dec 2024): GSI has established a state-of-the-art National Landslide Forecasting facility at GSI, Kolkata to operationalise regional Landslide Early Warning Systems.
Under the MEA–Department of Posts MoU renewed on 5 December 2024, Post Office Passport Seva Kendra services are to be extended to over how many centres by 2028-29?
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Correct answer: C — 600
PIB (5 Dec 2024): POPSK services are to be extended to over 600 centres by 2028-29, providing facilities to 1 crore citizens per annum.
Which French Prime Minister was ousted in a no-confidence vote on 4 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Michel Barnier
BBC and Reuters (4 Dec 2024): French lawmakers passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, bringing down his government.
How many votes were cast in support of the no-confidence motion against Michel Barnier's government on 4 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 331
BBC and Reuters (4 Dec 2024): a total of 331 lawmakers voted in support of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
The fall of Michel Barnier's government on 4 December 2024 was the first time a French government lost a no-confidence vote since:
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Correct answer: C — 1962
BBC and Reuters (4 Dec 2024): it was the first time a French government had collapsed in a no-confidence vote since 1962.
Consider the following statements about the French no-confidence vote of 4 December 2024: 1. It followed Michel Barnier's use of special powers to push through his budget without a vote. 2. President Emmanuel Macron resigned after the vote. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
BBC and Reuters (4 Dec 2024): the motion followed Barnier's use of special powers to force through his budget without a vote, so statement 1 is correct. BBC reports Macron had said he would not resign whatever the outcome and was due to address the nation, so statement 2 is wrong. Answer: 1 only.
Whom did India beat in the final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey on 4 December 2024, and by what score?
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Correct answer: A — Pakistan, 5-3
Hockey India (4 Dec 2024): the Indian junior men's hockey team beat Pakistan 5-3 in the final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman.
Which Indian player scored four goals in the Men's Junior Asia Cup final on 4 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Araijeet Singh Hundal
Hockey India (4 Dec 2024): Araijeet Singh Hundal (4', 18', 47', 54') scored four goals and Dilraj Singh (19') one in India's 5-3 win over Pakistan.
With the win on 4 December 2024, how many times has India won the Men's Junior Asia Cup?
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Correct answer: D — Five
Hockey India (4 Dec 2024): India has now won the tournament a record five times, including previous triumphs in 2023, 2015, 2008 and 2004.
Where was CoP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification held, at which India delivered its formal statement on 3 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
PIB (3 Dec 2024): Bhupender Yadav delivered India's Formal Statement at the CoP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
At UNCCD CoP16 on 3 December 2024, India reaffirmed its Bonn Challenge commitment to restore how much degraded land by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 26 million hectares
PIB (3 Dec 2024): India reaffirmed its commitment under the Bonn Challenge of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, of which more than 22.50 million hectares has already been restored.
Which South Korean President declared martial law on 3 December 2024 and lifted it hours later?
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Correct answer: A — Yoon Suk Yeol
BBC and The Hindu (3 Dec 2024): President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday, 3 December, and it was lifted hours later after lawmakers voted against it.
Consider the following statements about South Korea's martial law declaration of 3 December 2024: 1. It was lifted after the National Assembly voted to reject it. 2. It remained in force for more than a week. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
BBC and The Hindu: lawmakers voted to reject martial law and Yoon's government lifted it early on 4 December, within hours, so statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is wrong. Answer: 1 only.
Where did the 4th edition of the India–Malaysia joint military exercise Harimau Shakti begin on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Bentong camp, Pahang, Malaysia
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the 4th edition of Harimau Shakti commenced at Bentong camp, Pahang district, Malaysia.
Which edition of the India–Malaysia exercise Harimau Shakti commenced on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 4th
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the 4th edition of India–Malaysia Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI commenced at Bentong camp.
Which regiment represented the Indian contingent at Exercise Harimau Shakti 2024?
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Correct answer: B — MAHAR Regiment
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the 78-member Indian contingent is represented by a Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment.
Exercise Harimau Shakti 2024 aims to enhance joint capability for counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain under which chapter of the UN mandate?
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Correct answer: D — Chapter VII
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the aim is to enhance joint military capability to undertake counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Harimau Shakti: 1. The 2024 edition is scheduled from 2 to 15 December 2024. 2. The previous edition was held in November 2023 at Umroi Cantonment in Meghalaya. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (2 Dec 2024): the exercise is scheduled from 2nd to 15th December 2024, and the last edition was conducted in Nov 2023 at Umroi Cantonment in Meghalaya. Both statements are correct. Answer: Both 1 and 2.
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.
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.
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.