Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The South Asian Telecommunication Regulators' Council (SATRC), whose 25th meeting TRAI hosted in November 2024, is an initiative under:
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Correct answer: D — Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
PIB (TRAI): SATRC is an initiative under the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
Who inaugurated SATRC-25 in New Delhi on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Jyotiraditya M Scindia
PIB (TRAI): the meeting was inaugurated by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on 11 November 2024.
Which organisation conducted the maiden 'Antariksha Abhyas-2024' (11–13 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — Defence Space Agency
PIB (MoD): the Defence Space Agency of HQ Integrated Defence Staff conducted Antariksha Abhyas-2024.
'Antariksha Abhyas-2024' was what kind of exercise?
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Correct answer: B — A Space Table Top Exercise
PIB (MoD): Antariksha Abhyas-2024 was a Space Table Top Exercise.
Consider the following about 'Antariksha Abhyas-2024': 1. It was the third edition of the exercise. 2. It was conducted by ISRO. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
PIB (MoD): it was the maiden edition and was conducted by the Defence Space Agency of HQ IDS. Neither statement is correct.
The Union Cabinet approved the Mines Ministry's MoU with the International Energy Agency on critical minerals on:
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Correct answer: C — 3 October 2024
PIB (Mines): approval for signing the MoU was accorded by the Union Cabinet on 3 October 2024; it was signed on 13 November 2024.
Who signed the November 2024 critical minerals MoU with India on behalf of the International Energy Agency?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Fatih Birol
PIB (Mines): the MoU was signed by Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao and IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol.
On 13 November 2024, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Swami Vivekananda Vidya Mandir, Zanda Chowk, at:
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Correct answer: A — Silvassa
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President inaugurated Swami Vivekananda Vidya Mandir, Zanda Chowk at Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
At Silvassa on 13 November 2024, the President noted that the UT's Government Engineering College was started in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2018
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President noted that the Government Engineering College was started in 2018.
According to WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, where does India rank globally for patent applications?
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Correct answer: C — Sixth
PIB (Commerce): India ranks sixth globally for patents with 64,480 applications.
By how much did India's patent applications grow in 2023, the fastest among the top 20 origins, as per WIPI 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 15.7%
PIB (Commerce): India recorded the fastest growth in patent applications (+15.7%) in 2023 among the top 20 origins. 36.4% is design growth, 6.1% trademark growth and 55.2% the resident share.
In WIPI 2024, India ranked where globally in trademark filings?
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Correct answer: D — Fourth
PIB (Commerce): India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase in 2023. (Its trademark office holds the second-largest number of active registrations.)
All-India year-on-year CPI inflation for October 2024, released on 12 November 2024, was:
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Correct answer: A — 6.21%
PIB (MoSPI): year-on-year CPI inflation for October 2024 is 6.21%; 6.68% is the rural rate.
Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) inflation for October 2024 (provisional) was:
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Correct answer: D — 10.87%
PIB (MoSPI): all-India CFPI inflation for October 2024 is 10.87% (provisional); 11.09% is the urban rate.
Which DRDO laboratory developed the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), flight-tested for the first time on 12 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru
PIB (MoD): LRLACM has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, with contributions from other DRDO labs and industry.
From where was the maiden flight-test of the LRLACM conducted on 12 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
PIB (MoD): the test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
Consider the following about the LRLACM: 1. It is configured to launch from the ground using a mobile articulated launcher and from ships using a universal vertical launch module system. 2. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen & Toubro are its Development-cum-Production Partners. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoD): statement 1 is correct; the Development-cum-Production Partners are Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru. So only 1 is correct.
Which initiative's Phase-II did Power Minister Manohar Lal launch at the Conference of Power Ministers on 12 November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Powerthon
PIB (Power): the minister launched Phase-II of Powerthon during the conference.
Consider the following from the Conference of Power Ministers (12 November 2024): 1. The ACS-ARR gap improved to ₹0.21/kWh in FY 2023-24 (provisional). 2. The Union Minister suggested a 5% rebate by States for prepaid smart-meter consumers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Power): both were stated by Manohar Lal at the conference.
What was the gross NPA ratio of public sector banks as of September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 3.12%
PIB (Finance): gross and net NPA stood at 3.12% and 0.63% as on September 2024.
What was the combined net profit of public sector banks in H1 FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — ₹85,520 crore
PIB (Finance): net profit for H1 FY25 was ₹85,520 crore (25.6% YoY growth); ₹1,50,023 crore was the operating profit.
As of September 2024, the CRAR of public sector banks was 15.43% against a regulatory requirement of:
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Correct answer: D — 11.5%
PIB (Finance): CRAR stood at 15.43% in September 2024 against the regulatory requirement of 11.5%.
According to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri on 12 November 2024, how much has biofuel blending saved India on its import bill?
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Correct answer: B — ₹91,000 crore
PIB (Petroleum): Puri said through biofuel blending the country could save 91,000 crore rupees on the import bill.
At the Energy Technology Meet in Bengaluru (November 2024), the Petroleum Minister said India's energy demand will grow how much by 2047?
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Correct answer: A — Two and a half times
PIB (Petroleum): the minister said India's energy demand will grow by two and a half times by 2047.
As per the SBM-G review at Guwahati on 12 November 2024, which North-Eastern state achieved 100% ODF Plus Model coverage of villages?
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Correct answer: A — Sikkim
PIB (Jal Shakti): 51% of villages in the North-East were declared ODF Plus Model, with Sikkim achieving 100% coverage.
At the Guwahati review in November 2024, the Jal Shakti Minister emphasised achieving 'Sampoorna Swachhata' by:
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Correct answer: C — March 2025
PIB (Jal Shakti): the Minister emphasised achieving Sampoorna Swachhata by March 2025.
Which institution organised the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue on 12 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
PIB (MoD): the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue was organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).
The theme of the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue (November 2024) was built around which concept?
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Correct answer: A — Adaptive Defence
PIB (MoD): the theme was 'Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare'.
As per Quick Estimates released on 12 November 2024, India's IIP grew by how much in September 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 3.1%
PIB (MoSPI): the IIP growth rate for September 2024 is 3.1%, against (-)0.1% in August 2024.
In September 2024, the manufacturing sector of the IIP grew by:
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Correct answer: C — 3.9%
PIB (MoSPI): mining, manufacturing and electricity grew 0.2%, 3.9% and 0.5% respectively in September 2024.
The Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Gaya, Bihar, for which agreements were signed on 12 November 2024, is a node of which industrial corridor?
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Correct answer: D — Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor
PIB (Commerce): IMC Gaya is a node under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC).
What area will the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Gaya cover?
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Correct answer: B — 1,670 acres
PIB (Commerce): IMC Gaya will cover 1,670 acres.
Consider the following about IMC Gaya: 1. It has an investment potential of ₹16,524 crore. 2. It is expected to create about 1,09,185 jobs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Commerce): IMC Gaya has an investment potential of INR 16,524 crore and is expected to create approximately 1,09,185 jobs. Both are correct.
Untied Grants of the Fifteenth Finance Commission for rural local bodies can be used across the subjects listed in which Schedule of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: D — Eleventh Schedule
PIB (Panchayati Raj): Untied Grants are for location-specific needs across the 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule, except salaries and establishment costs.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, sworn in on 11 November 2024, is which Chief Justice of India?
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Correct answer: B — 51st
Supreme Court of India: Justice Sanjiv Khanna is the 51st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.
Where was Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as Chief Justice of India on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Ganatantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan
President's Secretariat (PIB): the ceremony was held at 1000 hrs in the Ganatantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Consider the following about Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna: 1. He made and subscribed to the oath of office before the President. 2. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in January 2019. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
President's Secretariat (PIB): he took the oath before the President. Supreme Court of India: he was elevated to the Supreme Court on 18 January 2019. Both are correct.
Scientists from which institute discovered the new plant species Dicliptera polymorpha in the northern Western Ghats (announced November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
PIB (DST): the discovery was made by a team led by Dr Mandar Datar of the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under DST.
Consider the following about Dicliptera polymorpha: 1. It is fire-resilient (pyrophytic) and shows a second burst of flowering after grassland fires. 2. It was discovered in the Eastern Ghats. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (DST): the species is pyrophytic with a dual-blooming pattern, but it was found in the northern Western Ghats, not the Eastern Ghats. So only 1 is correct.
Which DRDO laboratory developed indigenous processes for 4-inch Silicon Carbide wafers and GaN HEMT-based MMICs (announced November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Solid State Physics Laboratory
PIB (MoD): the Solid State Physics Laboratory, a DRDO laboratory, developed these processes.
What is the diameter of the indigenous Silicon Carbide wafers developed by DRDO's SSPL?
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Correct answer: D — 4 inches
PIB (MoD): SSPL developed processes for growing and manufacturing 4-inch diameter SiC wafers.
Where has limited production of indigenous GaN-on-SiC MMICs been established?
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Correct answer: A — GAETEC, Hyderabad
PIB (MoD): indigenous GaN-on-SiC MMICs with limited production capability have been established at GAETEC, Hyderabad.
Where was the IAF's C-295 Full Motion Simulator facility inaugurated on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Air Force Station Agra
PIB (MoD): the C-295 Full Motion Simulator facility was inaugurated on 11 November 2024 at Air Force Station Agra.
The C-295 Full Motion Simulator at Agra was inaugurated by the AOC-in-C of which IAF command?
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Correct answer: B — Central Air Command
PIB (MoD): Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AOC-in-C, Central Air Command (CAC), inaugurated the facility.
In November 2024, the High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah approved fire-services projects worth how much for Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal?
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Correct answer: D — ₹725.62 crore
PIB (MHA): the committee approved three projects of ₹725.62 crore; ₹5,000 crore is the NDRF allocation for the scheme and ₹2,542.12 crore the earlier approvals for 15 states.
The Centre's ₹5,000 crore allocation for 'Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States' is under which fund?
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Correct answer: B — National Disaster Response Fund
PIB (MHA): the Central Government has allocated ₹5,000 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the scheme.
Of the three states in the November 2024 fire-services approval, which received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: A — West Bengal
PIB (MHA): West Bengal ₹376.76 crore, Odisha ₹201.10 crore and Chhattisgarh ₹147.76 crore.
Consider the following about Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's meeting with the AIIB delegation on 11 November 2024: 1. The delegation comprised 11 officials of the AIIB Board of Directors from 9 constituencies. 2. The Finance Minister is an Alternate Governor on the AIIB Board. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Finance): the delegation had 11 officials from 9 constituencies, and the Finance Minister is Governor (not Alternate Governor) on the AIIB Board. So only 1 is correct.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank delegation that met the Finance Minister on 11 November 2024 was drawn from the bank's:
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Correct answer: B — Board of Directors
PIB (Finance): the delegation comprised 11 officials of the Board of Directors of AIIB from 9 different constituencies.
Which edition of the Indian Coast Guard–Sri Lanka Coast Guard Annual High Level Meeting was held in Colombo on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 7th
PIB (MoD): the ICG and SLCG conducted the 7th Annual High Level Meeting in Colombo on 11 November 2024; the 8th will be hosted by ICG in 2025.
The ICG–SLCG Annual High Level Meeting follows a mechanism set out in an MoU signed in:
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Correct answer: A — May 2018
PIB (MoD): the meeting follows the institutionalised mechanism outlined in the MoU signed between both agencies in May 2018.
Who led the Indian Coast Guard delegation at the 7th ICG–SLCG High Level Meeting in Colombo (November 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — S Paramesh
PIB (MoD): a four-member ICG delegation was led by Director General S Paramesh.
NITI Aayog launched the ASSET platform for states' green transition in November 2024 in collaboration with:
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Correct answer: D — Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
PIB (NITI Aayog): NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, launched the ASSET platform.
Which organisation was the knowledge partner for NITI Aayog's symposium on 'Green Transition in States' (11 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: D — ISEG Foundation
PIB (NITI Aayog): the symposium was organised by NITI Aayog with ISEG Foundation as knowledge partner.
On 11 November 2024, PM Modi addressed the 200th year celebrations of the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir located in:
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Correct answer: D — Vadtal, Gujarat
PIB (PMO): the PM participated in the 200th anniversary celebration of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Vadtal, Gujarat.
How did the PM participate in the Vadtal Swaminarayan Mandir's 200th year celebrations on 11 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Through video conferencing
PIB (PMO): the PM addressed the gathering through video conferencing.
Dr Justice D Y Chandrachud, whose term ended on 10 November 2024, had been appointed Chief Justice of India on:
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Correct answer: C — 9 November 2022
Supreme Court of India: he was appointed Chief Justice of India on 9 November 2022 (he joined the Supreme Court on 13 May 2016).
Who succeeded Dr Justice D Y Chandrachud as Chief Justice of India in November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Supreme Court of India: Justice Sanjiv Khanna was appointed Chief Justice of India on 11 November 2024.
Consider the following about Dr Justice D Y Chandrachud, as listed by the Supreme Court: 1. He joined the Supreme Court in January 2019. 2. His date of birth is 11 November 1959. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Supreme Court of India: he joined the Supreme Court on 13 May 2016 (18 January 2019 is Justice Sanjiv Khanna's date), and his date of birth is 11 November 1959. So only 2 is correct.
The nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 (1–30 November 2024) is being held at how many locations?
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Correct answer: C — 1,900 locations in 800 cities/districts
PIB (DoPPW): Campaign 3.0 is being organised at 1,900 locations in 800 cities/districts; 600 locations in 100 cities was Campaign 2.0 in 2023.
How many Digital Life Certificates were generated in the first week of DLC Campaign 3.0 in November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Over 37 lakh
PIB (DoPPW): more than 37 lakh DLCs were generated within the first week of the launch of DLC Campaign 3.0.
Consider the following about the Digital Life Certificate campaigns: 1. Campaign 2.0 was held in November 2023 at 600 locations in 100 cities. 2. Campaign 3.0 promotes face authentication for submitting DLCs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (DoPPW): Campaign 2.0 ran from 1 to 30 November 2023 at 600 locations in 100 cities, and Campaign 3.0 promotes DLC submission through face authentication. Both are correct.
The commemorative stamp on Dada Bhagwan released on 10 November 2024 marked which Janma Jayanti?
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Correct answer: B — 117th
PIB (Communications): the stamp was released during the 117th Janma Jayanti of Dada Bhagwan on 10 November.
Dada Bhagwan, on whom India Post released a stamp in November 2024, was born as:
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Correct answer: A — Ambalal Muljibhai Patel
PIB (Communications): the stamp commemorates Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, widely revered as Dada Bhagwan. (Deepakbhai Desai was present at the release.)
Where was the commemorative stamp on Dada Bhagwan released on 10 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Navlakhi Ground, Vadodara
PIB (Communications): the stamp was released at Navlakhi Ground, Vadodara, Gujarat.
Dada Bhagwan is celebrated for founding which spiritual path?
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Correct answer: C — Akram Vignan
PIB (Communications): Dada Bhagwan is celebrated for founding Akram Vignan.
The seaplane service whose aircraft landed at Kochi's Bolgatty waterdrome on 10 November 2024 comes under which scheme?
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Correct answer: B — RCS-UDAN
Kerala Tourism and NDTV: the seaplane service is under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Kerala's first seaplane trial in November 2024 was from Bolgatty in Kochi to which dam?
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Correct answer: D — Mattupetty Dam
Kerala Tourism and NDTV: after the flag-off at Bolgatty, the crew and passengers were received at Mattupetty Dam in Idukki district.
Who operates the 'De Havilland Canada' seaplane used for Kerala's seaplane service trial?
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Correct answer: A — SpiceJet with a Switzerland-based private company
Kerala Tourism and NDTV: the service is a collaborative effort between a Switzerland-based private company and SpiceJet.
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), which launched 'EV as a Service' in November 2024, is a subsidiary of:
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Correct answer: C — Energy Efficiency Services Limited
PIB (Power): CESL is a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
CESL's 'EV as a Service' programme aims to deploy how many e-cars in government departments over the next two years?
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Correct answer: B — 5,000
PIB (Power): the programme aims to deploy 5,000 e-cars over the next two years; 2,000 e-cars are already deployed and about 17,000 e-buses are being facilitated.
Where was CESL's 'EV as a Service' programme launched on 10 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
PIB (Power): Manohar Lal launched the programme at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Mahendra Singh Mewar, who died on 10 November 2024, had represented which Lok Sabha constituency?
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Correct answer: C — Chittorgarh
PIB (PMO) and The Hindu/NDTV (PTI): he was a former MP from Chittorgarh, elected in 1989. (Rajsamand is now represented by his daughter-in-law Mahima Kumari.)
Consider the following about Mahendra Singh Mewar: 1. He died in Udaipur at the age of 83. 2. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Udaipur in 1989. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The Hindu/NDTV (PTI): he died at a private hospital in Udaipur at 83, but he was elected from Chittorgarh (not Udaipur) in 1989. So only 1 is correct.