Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which department topped Group A in the Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI) 2023 launched on 18 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
PIB (DARPG): the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare topped Group A, followed by the Department of Posts.
How many central ministries and departments were assessed in GRAI 2023?
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Correct answer: B — 89
PIB (DARPG): eighty-nine central ministries and departments were assessed and ranked.
According to the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for July-September 2024, what was the urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above (CWS)?
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Correct answer: D — 6.4%
PIB (MoSPI): urban UR for persons aged 15+ decreased from 6.6% in July-September 2023 to 6.4% in July-September 2024.
When was the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) launched by the National Statistics Office?
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Correct answer: A — April 2017
PIB (MoSPI): the NSO launched the PLFS in April 2017.
In which two UK cities did PM Modi announce new Consulates General of India during his first meeting with PM Keir Starmer on 18 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Belfast and Manchester
PIB (MEA): PM Modi announced two new Consulates General of India in the UK in Belfast and Manchester.
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and which country, as noted at a G20 Rio meeting on 18 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Portugal
PIB (MEA): Modi and Portugal's PM Luís Montenegro noted that 2025 marks 50 years of India-Portugal diplomatic relations.
Consider the following about PM Modi's meetings at G20 Rio on 18 November 2024: 1. His meeting with Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto was their first. 2. His meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron was their first of the year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MEA): the meeting with Prabowo was their first; the meeting with Macron was their third that year, after his Republic Day visit to India.
The 'Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue', announced on 18 November 2024, is a reimagined version of which event?
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Correct answer: D — National Youth Festival 2025
PIB (Youth Affairs): Mansukh Mandaviya announced the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue as a reimagining of the National Youth Festival 2025.
Where will the national event of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue be held on 11-12 January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
PIB (Youth Affairs): about 3,000 youth will gather for the national event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 11-12 January 2025.
Which body organised the Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024) in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University?
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Correct answer: C — National Security Council Secretariat
PIB (NSCS): Bharat NCX 2024 was organised by the National Security Council Secretariat in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University.
Who was India's National Cyber Security Coordinator who gave the inaugural address at Bharat NCX 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Lt Gen M U Nair (Retd)
PIB (NSCS): Lt Gen M U Nair (Retd), the National Cyber Security Coordinator, delivered the inaugural address.
With which organisation did the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways organise 'Sagarmanthan – The Great Oceans Dialogue' in November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Observer Research Foundation
PIB (MoPSW): the ministry organised the two-day event in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation.
With which country's maritime minister did Sarbananda Sonowal hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of Sagarmanthan on 18 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Greece
PIB (MoPSW): Sonowal held bilateral talks with Greece's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianides.
What penalty did the Competition Commission of India impose on Meta on 18 November 2024 over WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update?
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Correct answer: C — ₹213.14 crore
PIB (CCI): the Commission imposed a penalty of ₹213.14 crore on Meta for abusing its dominant position.
In the Meta-WhatsApp case decided on 18 November 2024, in which relevant market did the CCI find Meta (through WhatsApp) dominant?
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Correct answer: D — OTT messaging apps through smartphones in India
PIB (CCI): the CCI delineated two relevant markets and found Meta, through WhatsApp, dominant in the market for OTT messaging apps through smartphones in India.
Panipat, where Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh met the industry on 18 November 2024, is recognised as a Town of Export Excellence for which product?
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Correct answer: A — Woollen blankets
PIB (Textiles): Panipat has been recognised as a Town of Export Excellence under the Foreign Trade Policy for export of woollen blankets.
Which edition of Naturopathy Day was celebrated on 18 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 7th
PIB (Ayush): the 7th Naturopathy Day was celebrated at CRIYN, Nagamangala.
Which body invoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR on 17 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Air Quality Management
PIB (MoEFCC): the CAQM sub-committee invoked Stage-IV of GRAP. CPCB only issued the AQI bulletin.
Under the revised GRAP, Stage-IV ('Severe+') applies when Delhi's AQI is above:
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Correct answer: C — 450
PIB (MoEFCC): Stage-IV of the revised GRAP is 'Severe+' air quality, with Delhi's AQI above 450.
Consider the following about the GRAP Stage-IV decision of 17 November 2024: 1. It was invoked by the Central Pollution Control Board. 2. Delhi's daily average AQI rose to 457 at 7 PM that day. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (MoEFCC): Stage-IV was invoked by the CAQM sub-committee, not CPCB; Delhi's AQI rose from 441 at 4 PM to 457 at 7 PM. So only 2 is correct.
Which national award did Nigeria confer on PM Narendra Modi on 17 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Grand Commander of the Order of Niger
PIB (PMO): President Tinubu conferred the 'Grand Commander of the Order of Niger' on PM Modi in Abuja.
PM Modi became the first foreign leader since which year to be conferred Nigeria's 'Grand Commander of the Order of Niger'?
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Correct answer: C — 1969
PIB (PMO): PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be conferred this award since 1969.
During PM Modi's visit to Nigeria on 17 November 2024, MoUs were signed in all of the following areas EXCEPT:
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Correct answer: D — Defence Production
PIB (PMO): the three MoUs were on Cultural Exchange Programme, Customs Cooperation and Survey Cooperation. Defence Production was not among them.
Consider the following about PM Modi's November 2024 visit to Nigeria: 1. It was a State Visit from 17 to 18 November 2024. 2. The official talks with President Tinubu were held in Lagos. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (PMO): the State Visit was from 17-18 November 2024, and the talks were held in Abuja, not Lagos. So only 1 is correct.
During talks in Abuja on 17 November 2024, Nigeria's President acknowledged India's efforts to amplify the concerns of developing countries through which summits?
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Correct answer: B — Voice of the Global South Summits
PIB (PMO): President Tinubu acknowledged India's efforts through the Voice of the Global South Summits.
In which district of Assam is Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) setting up its semiconductor unit?
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Correct answer: B — Morigaon
PIB: the TSAT semiconductor unit is at Morigaon, Assam.
The Semicon India programme was launched in 2021 with what financial outlay?
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Correct answer: C — ₹76,000 crore
PIB: Semicon India was launched in 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. ₹27,000 crore is the Morigaon unit's investment.
Consider the following about the TSAT semiconductor unit at Morigaon, Assam: 1. It involves an investment of ₹27,000 crore. 2. It is expected to produce up to 48 million chips per week. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: the investment is ₹27,000 crore, and the output is up to 48 million chips per day, not per week. So only 1 is correct.
By what percentage did the all-India average retail price of tomato fall between 14 October and 14 November 2024, as per the Department of Consumer Affairs?
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Correct answer: B — 22.4%
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the price fell from ₹67.50/kg to ₹52.35/kg, a 22.4% decline. The almost 50% fall was in Azadpur mandi modal prices.
As per the third advance estimate cited by the Department of Consumer Affairs in November 2024, India's tomato production in 2023-24 was:
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Correct answer: D — 213.20 lakh tonnes
PIB (Consumer Affairs): 213.20 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, 4% more than 204.25 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.
Modal prices of tomato fell by almost 50% between 14 October and 14 November 2024 at which mandi, as per the Department of Consumer Affairs?
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Correct answer: A — Azadpur
PIB (Consumer Affairs): modal prices at Azadpur mandi fell from ₹5,883 to ₹2,969 per quintal.
Which company is building the Indian Navy's 25T bollard pull tugs, including 'Yuvan' launched on 17 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd
PIB (Defence): the contract for six 25T BP tugs was given to Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Kolkata.
The keels of which two 25T bollard pull tugs were laid in Kolkata on 17 November 2024, when 'Yuvan' was launched?
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Correct answer: A — Ojas and Sabal
PIB (Defence): the keels of the fifth and sixth tugs, Ojas and Sabal, were laid.
The Indian Navy's 25T bollard pull tugs being built in Kolkata follow the classification rules of:
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Correct answer: D — Indian Register of Shipping
PIB (Defence): the tugs are being built under the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
On 17 November 2024, PM Modi praised the Marathi community of which country for celebrating Marathi being conferred Classical Language status?
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Correct answer: D — Nigeria
PIB (PMO): PM Modi lauded the Marathi community of Nigeria, which expressed joy at Marathi being conferred Classical Language status.
Consider the following about PM Modi's address to the Indian community in Abuja on 17 November 2024: 1. It was his first visit to Nigeria as Prime Minister. 2. He said India has always supported giving Africa a greater voice on all global platforms. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (PMO): both are correct.
How many domestic air passengers departed across India on 17 November 2024, the first day the figure crossed 5 lakh?
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Correct answer: D — 5,05,412
PIB (Civil Aviation): 5,05,412 domestic passengers departed on 17 November 2024.
The UDAN ('Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik') scheme was launched on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 21 October 2016
PIB (Civil Aviation): UDAN was launched by PM Narendra Modi on 21 October 2016.
Who was the Union Civil Aviation Minister when domestic air passengers crossed 5 lakh in a day in November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Ram Mohan Naidu
PIB (Civil Aviation): Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed the milestone.
A delegation led by Ronald J. Daniels met Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 17 November 2024 to discuss an offshore campus in India. Which university does he head?
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Correct answer: D — Johns Hopkins University
PIB (Education): Ronald J. Daniels is President of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Consider the following about the Johns Hopkins University delegation that met the Education Minister on 17 November 2024: 1. It discussed establishing an offshore JHU campus in India. 2. It included officials of the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Education): both are correct.
Dr Jitendra Singh's Namsai visit in November 2024 followed the PM's direction that Union Ministers spend at least how long in aspirational districts?
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Correct answer: B — 48 hours
PIB: the PM directed Union Ministers to spend at least 48 hours in aspirational districts.
Namsai, reviewed by Dr Jitendra Singh under the Aspirational Districts Programme in November 2024, is in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Arunachal Pradesh
PIB: Namsai is a district of Arunachal Pradesh; the minister was received by Deputy CM Chowna Mein.
From where did DRDO flight-test India's first long-range hypersonic missile on 16 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha
PIB (Defence): the flight-trial was conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
India's first long-range hypersonic missile, tested in November 2024, is designed to carry payloads for ranges greater than:
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Correct answer: C — 1,500 km
PIB (Defence): the missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km.
Consider the following about India's first long-range hypersonic missile tested in November 2024: 1. It was developed by the laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs and industry partners. 2. It was flight-tested by ISRO. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Defence): it was developed by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex labs with other DRDO labs and industry, and the trial was conducted by DRDO, not ISRO. So only 1 is correct.
Which edition of Audit Diwas was addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi on 16 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 4th
PIB (Lok Sabha): Om Birla addressed the gathering on the occasion of the 4th Audit Diwas.
For which term did India's C&AG take over the presidency of ASOSAI, as noted on Audit Diwas 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 2024-2027
PIB (Lok Sabha): the C&AG hosted the ASOSAI General Assembly and took over the ASOSAI presidency for 2024-2027.
The Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme (MWP), discussed by India at CoP29 on 16 November 2024, was established at which CoP?
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Correct answer: B — CoP27, Sharm el-Sheikh
PIB (MoEFCC): India referred to decisions on the Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work programme at CoP27.
Consider the following about India's statement at CoP29 on 16 November 2024: 1. It was delivered in the closing plenary of the Subsidiary Bodies. 2. India supported including the CoP28 Global Stocktake mitigation paragraphs in the MWP. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoEFCC): the statement was made in the closing plenary of the Subsidiary Bodies, and India opposed developed countries' push to include the Global Stocktake mitigation paras. So only 1 is correct.
Where was the 4th High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, addressed by Anupriya Patel on 16 November 2024, held?
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Correct answer: D — Jeddah
PIB (Health): the conference was held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
At the Jeddah AMR conference in November 2024, India supported the creation of which of the following?
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Correct answer: B — AMR Multi-partner Trust Fund
PIB (Health): India supported the AMR Multi-partner Trust Fund and an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR in 2025.
Consider the following about India's statement at the 4th High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR (November 2024): 1. India called for a 'One Health' approach covering human, animal, plant and environmental health. 2. India stressed access to and affordability of antimicrobials, diagnostics and vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Health): both are correct.
The Ayushman Vay Vandana card under AB PM-JAY is meant for senior citizens of what age?
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Correct answer: D — 70 years and above
PIB (Health): the card is for senior citizens aged 70 and above.
On which date did PM Modi roll out the Ayushman Vay Vandana card?
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Correct answer: B — 29 October 2024
PIB (Health): the card was rolled out by PM Narendra Modi on 29 October 2024.
Consider the following about Ayushman Vay Vandana card enrolments as reported on 16 November 2024: 1. More than 10 lakh senior citizens enrolled within three weeks. 2. Around 4 lakh of the enrolments were by women. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Health): both are correct.
In his departure statement of 16 November 2024, PM Modi said he would attend the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil in which capacity?
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Correct answer: B — As a Troika member
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said he would attend the 19th G20 Summit as a Troika member.
PM Modi's November 2024 visit to Guyana was described as the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over how many years?
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Correct answer: D — 50 years
PIB (PMO): the departure statement said it would be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in over 50 years.
Which summit did PM Modi say he would join in Guyana during his November 2024 visit?
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Correct answer: C — 2nd India-CARICOM Summit
PIB (PMO): PM Modi said he would join Caribbean leaders for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.
As per WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, what is India's global rank in patent applications?
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Correct answer: A — 6th
PIB: India ranks 6th globally in patent applications, with 64,480 filings in 2023.
As per WIPI 2024, what share of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents, the first time above half?
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Correct answer: D — 55.2%
PIB: for the first time, more than half (55.2%) of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents.
Consider the following about India in WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024: 1. India had 64,480 patent filings in 2023. 2. Patents granted in India in 2023 fell compared with the previous year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: India had 64,480 filings in 2023, and patents granted rose 149.4% (not fell). So only 1 is correct.
At the CSIR Healthcare Theme Conclave in November 2024, Dr Jitendra Singh said India's bio-economy is on track to reach what size by 2030?
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Correct answer: A — $300 billion
PIB (S&T): the bio-economy grew from $10 billion in 2014 to $130 billion and is on track to reach $300 billion by 2030.
As per Dr Jitendra Singh at the CSIR Healthcare Theme Conclave (November 2024), India's startup ecosystem ranks where globally?
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Correct answer: D — Third
PIB (S&T): he said India's startup ecosystem is now the third-largest globally, with over 1.6 lakh ventures.
Which of the following countries was NOT among the eight whose national human rights institutions took part in NHRC India's ITEC programme of 11-16 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Bangladesh
PIB (NHRC): the countries were Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Jordan. Bangladesh was not among them.
Who was the Acting Chairperson of NHRC India who addressed the inaugural session of its ITEC human rights programme in November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Vijaya Bharathi Sayani
PIB (NHRC): Acting Chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani addressed the inaugural session.
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed an event at Kotra, Udaipur, on 16 November 2024 marking the 150th birth anniversary of:
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Correct answer: B — Bhagwan Birsa Munda
PIB (Vice-President's Secretariat): the event at Kotra, Udaipur marked the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Which principle of Bhagwan Birsa Munda did the Vice-President describe as 'a way of life' at Kotra, Udaipur, in November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Jal, Jungle, Zameen
PIB (Vice-President's Secretariat): he said Birsa Munda's 'Jal, Jungle, Zameen' principles are not just words but a way of life.
In the India-Japan Memorandum of Implementation signed on 15 November 2024, what does UNICORN stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Unified Complex Radio Antenna
PIB (Defence): UNICORN is the Unified Complex Radio Antenna, a mast with integrated communication systems that improves stealth.
Which Indian company will co-develop the UNICORN mast with Japanese collaboration?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Ltd
PIB (Defence): the UNICORN masts will be co-developed by Bharat Electronics Limited in India with Japanese collaboration.
Consider the following about the UNICORN Memorandum of Implementation (November 2024): 1. When implemented, it will be the first case of co-development / co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan. 2. It was signed in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Defence): it will be the first India-Japan defence co-development / co-production case, and it was signed at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, not New Delhi. So only 1 is correct.