Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
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.
How many newly established M-PACS did Amit Shah inaugurate in New Delhi on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 10,000
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): Amit Shah inaugurated 10,000 newly established M-PACS, along with dairy and fisheries cooperative societies; 2 lakh is the five-year target for new PACS.
Within how many days of the SOP issued on 19 September 2024 was the registration of 10,000 PACS completed?
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Correct answer: D — 86 days
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): an SOP was established on 19 September 2024, and within 86 days the registration of 10,000 PACS was completed.
Which three new national-level cooperatives will PACS join to work on organic products, seed production and exports, as stated on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — NCOL, BBSSL and NCEL
PIB (Ministry of Cooperation): the three new national-level cooperatives NCOL, BBSSL and NCEL will open opportunities for farmers in organic products, seeds and exports; NDDB, NFDB and NABARD helped register the PACS.
The 'Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi' initiative launched on Good Governance Day 2024 is part of which broader campaign?
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Correct answer: D — Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur
PIB (DoPT): the 'Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi' initiative is part of the broader 'Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur' campaign.
In which States was the 'Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi' initiative piloted, as stated on 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Odisha, Assam, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh
PIB (DoPT): the initiative was piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
Which milestone e-learning course was introduced on the iGOT Karmayogi platform on Good Governance Day 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 1,600th
PIB (DoPT): Dr Jitendra Singh launched a new dashboard on the iGOT Karmayogi platform along with the milestone introduction of the 1,600th e-learning course.
Who launched the Rashtraparv website and mobile app on Good Governance Day, 25 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Rajesh Kumar Singh
PIB (Ministry of Defence): Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh launched the Rashtraparv website along with its mobile app on 25 December 2024.
From where can the Rashtraparv mobile app, launched in December 2024, be downloaded?
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Correct answer: A — Government App Store (M-Seva)
PIB (Ministry of Defence): the website is at rashtraparv.mod.gov.in and the mobile app can be downloaded from the Government App Store (M-Seva).
Who was appointed Governor of Manipur by the President of India on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Ajay Kumar Bhalla
PIB (President's Secretariat): Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed Governor of Manipur in the press communique of 24 December 2024.
General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.) was appointed Governor of which State on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Mizoram
PIB (President's Secretariat): General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.) was appointed Governor of Mizoram.
Whose resignation as Governor of Odisha did the President of India accept on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Raghubar Das
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President accepted the resignation of Raghubar Das as Governor of Odisha and appointed Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati in his place.
Consider the following statements about the gubernatorial changes announced on 24 December 2024: 1. Arif Mohammed Khan was moved from Kerala to Bihar. 2. Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati was Governor of Mizoram before being appointed to Odisha. 3. The appointments take effect from the dates the appointees assume charge. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (President's Secretariat): Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Kerala, was appointed Governor of Bihar; Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Mizoram, was appointed to Odisha; and the appointments take effect from the dates of assuming charge. All three statements are correct.
What was the theme of National Consumer Day 2024, observed on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer Justice
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the theme for National Consumer Day 2024 was 'Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer Justice'.
On National Consumer Day 2024, a voluntary Safety Pledge for consumer safety was signed by how many major e-commerce platforms?
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Correct answer: A — 13
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the Safety Pledge, a voluntary commitment for ensuring consumer safety, was signed by 13 major e-commerce platforms.
On National Consumer Day 2024, an Organic Food Testing Laboratory was inaugurated at the National Test House in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Guwahati
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the Minister inaugurated the Organic Food Testing Laboratory at National Test House, Guwahati, and a Low Voltage Switch Gear Testing Facility at National Test House, Mumbai.
Milma's milk powder factory inaugurated by the Kerala Chief Minister on 24 December 2024 is located at Moorkanad in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Malappuram
The Hindu/Malabar Milma: the milk powder factory is at Moorkanad near Valanchery in Malappuram district, commissioned on 24 December 2024.
How much milk can the Milma plant at Moorkanad, Kerala (commissioned in December 2024), process in a day?
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Correct answer: C — 1,00,000 litres
Malabar Milma/The Hindu: the plant's processing capacity is 1,00,000 litres a day; it converts one lakh litres of milk into 10 tonnes of milk powder a day.
Which unit of Milma set up the milk powder factory at Moorkanad, opened on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union
Malabar Milma/The Hindu: the Malappuram Dairy and Powder Plant at Moorkanad is a unit of the Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union, which met most of the cost.
How much was released to Uttar Pradesh as the second instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for rural local bodies (2024-25), as announced on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,598.80 crore
PIB (Panchayati Raj): Uttar Pradesh received ₹1,598.80 crore as the second instalment of untied grants; ₹446.49 crore went to Andhra Pradesh.
XV Finance Commission untied grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions can be used for location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in which Schedule of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: C — Eleventh Schedule
PIB (Panchayati Raj): untied grants are used for location-specific felt needs under the 29 subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule, except salaries and establishment costs.
Consider the following statements about XV Finance Commission grants to rural local bodies, as explained by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in December 2024: 1. Tied grants can be used for sanitation and maintenance of ODF status. 2. Tied grants can be used for drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and water recycling. 3. Untied grants can be used to pay salaries of panchayat staff. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Panchayati Raj): tied grants are for sanitation/ODF status and for drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling; untied grants exclude salaries and other establishment costs, so statement 3 is wrong.
Under which scheme did Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurate solar projects at Umbartha and Narangwadi on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0
The Hindu/TOI/IANS: the projects were inaugurated under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0, the Chief Minister's solar agriculture feeder scheme.
Umbartha village, where a solar project was inaugurated under Maharashtra's solar agriculture feeder scheme on 24 December 2024, is in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Washim
The Hindu/TOI/IANS: the projects were at Umbartha in Washim district and Narangwadi in Dharashiv district.
According to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on 24 December 2024, how much electricity does the State currently supply to farmers?
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Correct answer: B — 16,000 MW
The Hindu/TOI: Fadnavis said the State currently supplies 16,000 MW of electricity to farmers and these feeders are to be shifted to solar energy in phases.
According to ASUSE 2023-24 released on 24 December 2024, how many unincorporated non-agricultural establishments were there in India?
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Correct answer: D — 7.34 crore
PIB (MoSPI): the number of establishments rose from 6.50 crore in 2022-23 to 7.34 crore in 2023-24.
As per ASUSE 2023-24, what was the Gross Value Added (GVA) per worker in the unincorporated sector at current prices?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,49,742
PIB (MoSPI): GVA per worker rose to ₹1,49,742 in 2023-24 from ₹1,41,769 in 2022-23; ₹1,38,207 was the 2021-22 figure and ₹2,45,687 is GVA per establishment.
According to ASUSE 2023-24, what share of unincorporated establishments used the internet?
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Correct answer: A — 26.7%
PIB (MoSPI): the percentage of establishments using the internet grew from 21.1% in 2022-23 to 26.7% in ASUSE 2023-24.
In its clarification of 24 December 2024, the Ministry of Mines asked which body to re-examine the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block and explore redefining its boundary?
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Correct answer: C — Geological Survey of India
PIB (Mines): the Geological Survey of India (GSI) was requested to re-examine the block and explore the possibility of redefining its boundary by excluding the biodiversity heritage site.
According to the Ministry of Mines, the biodiversity heritage site reported by Tamil Nadu covered about what share of the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block?
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Correct answer: D — About 10%
PIB (Mines): the State Government informed about a biodiversity site covering 193.215 ha, about 10% of the total area of the block.
Consider the following statements in the context of the Ministry of Mines' clarification on the Nayakkarpatti block (24 December 2024): 1. A composite licence is a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease. 2. The Letter of Intent to the preferred bidder is issued by the Ministry of Mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Mines): a composite licence refers to a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease; the ministry's role is limited to the auction, and the Letter of Intent, composite licence and mining lease are issued by the State Government, so statement 2 is wrong.
The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), under which Amantya Technologies received a grant in December 2024, is a scheme of which fund?
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Correct answer: C — Digital Bharat Nidhi (formerly USOF)
PIB (Communications): Amantya was funded under the TTDF scheme of USOF, now called 'Digital Bharat Nidhi', by the Department of Telecommunications.
What will Amantya Technologies develop under the TTDF grant announced on 24 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — A carrier-grade 'Made in India' 5G Standalone (SA) core
PIB (Communications): the project is to develop an 'India 5G Stack' with a 3GPP Release 16/17-compliant 'Made in India 5G SA Core' for public carrier and enterprise deployment.
With which concessionaire did NHAI sign an MoU in December 2024 to build and maintain cattle shelters along National Highways as a pilot project?
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Correct answer: D — Gawar Construction Ltd
PIB (Road Transport): NHAI signed an MoU with its existing concessionaire M/s Gawar Construction Ltd to build cattle shelters on land provided by NHAI and maintain them.
Under NHAI's December 2024 cattle-shelter pilot, shelters on the Bhiwani-Hansi section of NH-148B are to be built along which bypass?
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Correct answer: A — Hansi Bypass
PIB (Road Transport): shelters will be built along the Bhiwani-Hansi section of NH-148B at the Hansi Bypass; the Kharkhoda Bypass is on NH-334B.
Filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who died on 23 December 2024, is best known as a pioneer of which movement in Indian cinema?
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Correct answer: A — Parallel cinema
The New Indian Express and The Hindu: Shyam Benegal heralded the 'parallel movement' in Hindi cinema in the 1970s and 1980s with films such as Ankur, Mandi and Manthan.
Shyam Benegal's film Manthan, restored and screened at Cannes in 2024, was based on the milk cooperative movement of which place?
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Correct answer: C — Anand, Gujarat
The New Indian Express and The Hindu: Manthan was based on the milk cooperative movement in Anand, Gujarat, and its restored version was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.
Shyam Benegal's last film, released in 2023, was a biopic of which leader?
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Correct answer: D — Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The New Indian Express and The Hindu: Benegal's most recent work was Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), a biopic of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A film on Noor Inayat Khan remained unmade.
The revised detention policy notified by the Centre in December 2024 under the RTE rules applies to students of which grades?
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Correct answer: B — Grades 5 and 8
PIB (Ministry of Education): the revised "Detention Policy" applies to students in Grades 5 and 8 of schools run by the Central Government or by UTs without a legislature.
Under the RTE (Amendment) Rules, 2024, within what period of the declaration of results must a student who fails the annual examination get a re-examination?
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Correct answer: C — Two months
PIB (Ministry of Education): a student who fails to meet the promotion criteria gets additional instruction and a re-examination within two months of the declaration of results.
Consider the following statements about the RTE (Amendment) Rules, 2024: 1. They apply to schools established, owned or controlled by the Central Government or by the administrator of a UT having no legislature. 2. They allow a child to be expelled from school before completing elementary education. 3. They were notified through G.S.R. 777(E) dated 21 December 2024. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Ministry of Education): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong because the amendment reinforces that no child shall be expelled from school until the completion of elementary education.
The Assam International Skill Centre approved by the Assam cabinet on 23 December 2024 will have its hub in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
NewsLive and India Today NE: the AISC will operate in a hub-and-spoke model with its hub in Guwahati and centres spread across the state.
The Assam cabinet decided on 23 December 2024 that 2025 would be observed as a special year to promote which habit?
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Correct answer: B — Book reading
NewsLive and The Sentinel: the cabinet decided to observe 2025 as a year of reading ('Year of Reading' / 'Book Year') to promote book reading, with a book fair at Khanapara.
What monthly remuneration did the Assam cabinet approve in December 2024 for Gaon Pradhans of forest villages and FRA villages, effective 1 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹9,000
NewsLive and India Today NE: a remuneration of ₹9,000 per month was approved from 1 January 2025 for 278 Gaon Pradhans in forest villages and 668 in FRA villages in non-Sixth Schedule areas.
According to TRAI data released in December 2024, what was India's overall tele-density at the end of October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 84.46%
PIB (TRAI): overall tele-density was 84.46% as on 31 October 2024.
As per TRAI's subscription data as on 31 October 2024, how many broadband subscribers did India have?
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Correct answer: D — 941.47 million
PIB (TRAI): total broadband subscribers decreased from 944.40 million at the end of September 2024 to 941.47 million at the end of October 2024.
Who was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on 23 December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Justice G.S. Sandhawalia
PIB (Ministry of Law and Justice): Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Justice Guhanathan Narendar, a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, was appointed Chief Justice of which High Court in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Uttarakhand High Court
PIB (Ministry of Law and Justice): Justice Guhanathan Narendar was appointed Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
Under TRAI's Telecom Consumers Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, the validity cap for Special Tariff Vouchers and Combo Vouchers was raised to how many days?
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Correct answer: C — 365 days
PIB (TRAI): the cap on validity period for STVs and Combo Vouchers was increased from 90 days to 365 days.
Which of the following did TRAI mandate through its December 2024 amendment to the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations?
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Correct answer: A — A separate Special Tariff Voucher for voice and SMS
PIB (TRAI): the regulations mandate a separate STV for voice and SMS. Colour coding was done away with, and the reservation of ₹10 and its multiples for top-up vouchers was removed.
Consider the following statements about TRAI's December 2024 changes to voucher rules: 1. Colour coding of vouchers was done away with. 2. Telecom operators no longer need to offer any ₹10 top-up voucher. 3. The changes followed a consultation paper released on 26 July 2024. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB (TRAI): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong because the mandate of at least one ₹10 top-up voucher is retained.