Asia 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 estimated cost of the Godavari-Banakacherla project unveiled by Andhra Pradesh on 30 December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹80,112 crore
The Hindu/Swarajya: the project is estimated at ₹80,112 crore; ₹38,041 crore is the cost of its third segment.
Which place did Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu describe as the 'gateway to Rayalaseema' while announcing the Godavari-Banakacherla project?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Banakacherla
The Hindu/Swarajya: Naidu said, 'Banakacharla will be the gateway to Rayalaseema'; Bollapalli is the reservoir site and Polavaram the source project.
Consider the following statements about the Godavari-Banakacherla project: 1. It aims to provide drinking water to 8 million people. 2. It aims to irrigate an additional 7.5 lakh acres. 3. Segment I, from Polavaram to the Krishna river, is the costliest of its three segments. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The Hindu/Swarajya: the project targets drinking water for 8 million people and 7.5 lakh additional acres; Segment I costs ₹13,511 crore, the least, while Segment III (₹38,041 crore) is the costliest, so statement 3 is wrong.
Where was the keel of the Indian Navy's third Cadet Training Ship (Yard 18005) laid on 30 December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli
PIB (Defence): the keel laying of Yard 18005 was held at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, on 30 December 2024.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Navy's Cadet Training Ships: 1. The contract for three such ships was concluded between the Ministry of Defence and L&T on 7 March 2023. 2. The Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP 2012-27) envisages a force level of three Cadet Training Ships. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Defence): the contract for three Cadet Training Ships was concluded on 7 March 2023, and LTIPP 2012-27 envisages a force level of three such ships; both statements are correct.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, what was the total area sown under rabi crops as on 30 December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 614.94 lakh hectares
PIB (Agriculture): total rabi area was 614.94 lakh ha as on 30 December 2024; 611.80 lakh ha was last year's figure and 635.30 lakh ha is the normal rabi area.
As on 30 December 2024, which of the following crop groups had a smaller sown area than in the corresponding period of the previous year?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Oilseeds
PIB (Agriculture): oilseeds covered 96.15 lakh ha against 101.37 lakh ha last year; wheat (319.74 vs 313.00), pulses (136.13 vs 136.05) and Shri Anna (48.55 vs 47.77) were all higher.
On 30 December 2024, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis directed the scrapping of about how many old government vehicles?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 13,000
India Today/Indian Express: the CM directed that over 13,000 old government vehicles be scrapped.
Consider the following statements about Maharashtra's directions of 30 December 2024 on the state transport fleet: 1. State transport buses older than 15 years are to be scrapped. 2. The remaining buses are to be retrofitted with LNG and CNG systems. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
India Today/Indian Express: buses older than 15 years are to be scrapped and the remaining buses retrofitted with LNG and CNG; both statements are correct.
Which team won the Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 title on 29 December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Haryana Steelers
PKL/Indian Express/Sportstar: Haryana Steelers beat Patna Pirates 32-23 in the final to win their first PKL title.
In which city was the Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 final played?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Pune
PKL/Sportstar: the final was played at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune.
Who was the top scorer for Haryana Steelers, with 9 points, in the PKL Season 11 final?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Shivam Patare
PKL/Indian Express: Shivam Patare scored 9 points, Mohammadreza Shadloui 7 and Vinay 6.
Consider the following statements about the PKL Season 11 final: 1. It was Haryana Steelers' first Pro Kabaddi League title. 2. Haryana Steelers won by a score of 32-23. 3. Runners-up Patna Pirates received ₹3 crore in prize money. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PKL/Indian Express: it was Haryana's first title and they won 32-23; the champions received ₹3 crore while runners-up Patna Pirates received ₹1.8 crore, so statement 3 is wrong.
According to the Commerce Ministry's two-year review of the India-Australia ECTA (December 2024), what was India's export utilisation under the agreement?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 79%
PIB (Commerce): export utilisation was 79% and import utilisation 84%; 14% was the growth in India's exports to Australia in 2023-24.
Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Australia rose from USD 12.2 billion in 2020-21 to how much in 2022-23?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — USD 26 billion
PIB (Commerce): trade rose to USD 26 billion in 2022-23; it moderated to USD 24 billion in 2023-24, and April–November 2024 trade was USD 16.3 billion.
Where was a stocktake visit on the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) held from 4 to 6 December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — New Delhi
PIB (Commerce): the CECA stocktake visit was concluded in New Delhi from 4 to 6 December 2024.
Consider the following statements about India-Australia trade as per the Commerce Ministry's December 2024 review: 1. Both sides aim for bilateral trade of AUD 100 billion by 2030. 2. Talks on the CECA have seen 10 formal rounds. 3. Total bilateral trade rose further in 2023-24 over 2022-23. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Commerce): the target is AUD 100 billion by 2030 and CECA has had 10 formal rounds; total trade moderated from USD 26 billion in 2022-23 to USD 24 billion in 2023-24, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which village in Haryana was renamed after former US President Jimmy Carter, who died on 29 December 2024, following his visit in 1978?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Carterpuri
The Hindu/Business Standard/Indian Express: the Haryana village near Gurgaon was renamed Carterpuri after Carter's 1978 visit.
In which year was The Carter Center founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in partnership with Emory University?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1982
The Carter Center: it was founded in 1982 by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in partnership with Emory University; Carter's presidency began in 1977 and ended in 1981, and he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
In which year was Jimmy Carter awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 2002
The Carter Center: Jimmy Carter was the winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.
Consider the following statements about Jimmy Carter: 1. He was the 39th President of the United States. 2. He died at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. 3. He visited the Haryana village later named after him in 1980. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The Carter Center/Indian Express/The Hindu: Carter was the 39th US President and died at home in Plains, Georgia, aged 100; he visited the village on 3 January 1978, not in 1980, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which batter did Jasprit Bumrah dismiss to claim his 200th Test wicket at the MCG on 29 December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Travis Head
Indian Express/Hindustan Times: Bumrah dismissed Travis Head for 1 for his 200th Test wicket.
In how many balls did Jasprit Bumrah reach 200 Test wickets, the fastest by an Indian bowler?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 8,484
Indian Express/Hindustan Times: Bumrah took 8,484 balls; Waqar Younis (7,725), Dale Steyn (7,848) and Kagiso Rabada (8,154) were quicker, and Malcolm Marshall took 9,234.
Jasprit Bumrah's 200th Test wicket came in which of his Test matches?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 44th
Indian Express/Hindustan Times: the 200th wicket came in his 44th Test.
Jasprit Bumrah joined which two contemporary fast bowlers who had also reached 200 Test wickets in 44 matches?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada
Indian Express/Hindustan Times: Bumrah joined Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada, who also reached 200 wickets in 44 Tests.
Consider the following statements about Jasprit Bumrah's 200 Test wickets: 1. He is the first bowler to reach 200 Test wickets with a bowling average below 20. 2. He is the fastest bowler in the world to 200 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 only
Indian Express/Hindustan Times: his average of 19.56 makes him the first to 200 wickets with a sub-20 average; by balls he is fourth-fastest, behind Waqar Younis, Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, so statement 2 is wrong.
The Dhanu Yatra, described as the world's largest open-air theatre, is held in which district of Odisha?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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:
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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.
In which district did Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin inaugurate a mini TIDEL Park on 29 December 2024, described as the first in southern Tamil Nadu?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Thoothukudi
The Hindu/NIE/DT Next: the mini TIDEL Park at Milavittan, Thoothukudi, is the first TIDEL Park in southern Tamil Nadu.
What is the carpet area of the mini TIDEL Park inaugurated at Thoothukudi in December 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 63,000 sq ft
The Hindu/NIE: the four-floor building, built for ₹32.50 crore, has a carpet area of 63,000 sq ft.
Before Thoothukudi, mini TIDEL Parks had been opened in Tamil Nadu at all of the following places EXCEPT:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Madurai
NIE/DT Next: mini TIDEL Parks had come up at Villupuram, Thanjavur and Salem, making Thoothukudi the fourth; Madurai was not among them.
Consider the following statements about Tamil Nadu's mini TIDEL Parks: 1. The Thoothukudi park is the first TIDEL Park in southern Tamil Nadu. 2. The State allotted ₹234.5 crore for mini TIDEL Parks in seven cities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
NIE/DT Next: Thoothukudi's is the first TIDEL Park in southern Tamil Nadu, and ₹234.5 crore was allotted for mini TIDEL Parks in seven cities; both statements are correct.
For how many days was State Mourning observed throughout India following the death of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in December 2024?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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)?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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:
Show answer
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:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Three years
CMO Rajasthan: the cabinet approved making the CET score valid for three years.
Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat, the French Sanskrit scholar who died on 28 December 2024, had received which Indian civilian award in January 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Padma Shri
French Association for Indian Studies notice (INDOLOGY list): Filliozat received the Padma Shri in January 2024.
Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat's father, the Indologist Jean Filliozat, founded which institution?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — French Institute of Pondicherry
French Association for Indian Studies notice: Jean Filliozat, a professor at the Collège de France, was the founder of the French Institute of Pondicherry; Pierre-Sylvain was a member of the EFEO.
Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat frequently lived for long periods at his house in Yadavagiri, which is in which Indian city?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Mysuru
French Association for Indian Studies notice: he resided frequently and for long periods at his house in Yadavagiri, Mysore.
In December 2024, Haryana raised the ex gratia for the families of battle casualties of armed forces and CAPF personnel from ₹50 lakh to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹1 crore
AIR/Hindustan Times: the ex gratia was increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.
Haryana raised the monthly pension of 'Matribhasha Satyagrahis' to ₹20,000 in December 2024. These satyagrahis took part in the Hindi Aandolan of which year?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1957
AIR/Hindustan Times: the pension of Matribhasha Satyagrahis of the Hindi Aandolan-1957 was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000.
Consider the following statements about the Haryana cabinet decisions of 28 December 2024: 1. The maximum limit of death-cum-retirement gratuity for State employees was raised from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh. 2. Aadhaar authentication was approved for candidates applying through the Haryana Public Service Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
AIR/Hindustan Times: the gratuity ceiling rose by 25% from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh, and Aadhaar authentication was approved for HPSC candidates; both statements are correct.
During his visit to Tripura in December 2024, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi gave in-principle approval to set up which office at Agartala?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — A regional office of the Food Corporation of India
PIB (Food and Public Distribution): Joshi accorded in-principle approval to the State government's proposal to set up a regional office of the FCI at Agartala.
As stated in the Food Ministry's release on the Agartala visit (December 2024), the Centre's free ration scheme has been extended till:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 31 December 2028
PIB (Food and Public Distribution): the government has extended the free ration scheme till 31 December 2028.
According to the HCES 2023-24 factsheet released on 27 December 2024, what was the average MPCE in urban India (without imputation)?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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.