Current Affairs Top 60 Q&A PDF – December 2024 1st Week

(1 - 9)
1. Who has recently (in November ‘24) inaugurated the International Cooperative Alliance
(ICA) Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in New Delhi, Delhi?
1) Piyush Goyal
2) Droupadi Murmu
3) Narendra Modi
4) Krishan Pal
5) Amit Shah
Answer- 3) Narendra Modi
Explanation:
On 25th November 2024, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the International
Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi,
Delhi.
• The Conference was hosted by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), in
collaboration with ICA and Government of India(GoI), and Indian Cooperatives AMUL and
KRIBHCO.
• The conference was held from 25th to 30th November 2024.The theme of the conference is
“Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All” is in line with Indian Government’s vision of “Sahkar
Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation).
• ICA Global Cooperative Conference and ICA General Assembly are being organised in India for
the first time in the 130-year history of the ICA.
• The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) declared 2025 as the International Year of
Cooperatives (IYC2025) which is to be celebrated under the theme “Cooperatives Build a
Better World.”
• PM Modi also launched the United Nations(UN)’ International Year of Cooperatives 2025
and released a commemorative postal stamp.
• The stamp features a lotus, the symbol of peace, strength, resilience, and growth; this reflects
the cooperative values of sustainability and community development.

2. Name the mobile application (app) that was recently (in November ‘24) launched by the
Ministry of Education (MoE) to transform education in India by equipping teachers with
advanced skills for 21st-century classrooms.
1) Diksha App
2) Swayam
3) Socrative Teacher
4) Infinity Learn
5) The TeacherApp
Answer- 5) The TeacherApp
Explanation:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), launched “The TeacherApp”, an
innovative digital platform aimed at transforming education in India by equipping teachers with
advanced skills for 21st-century classrooms. The launch event was held in New Delhi, Delhi.

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 • The app is developed by the Bharti Airtel Foundation, the philanthropic arm of New Delhi,
Delhi, based Bharti Enterprises.
• The theme of the event is “Elevating Teachers, Elevating India.” It highlights the
importance of empowering educators with the skills, knowledge, and tools required to meet
the evolving demands of modern education.
• The TeacherApp offers over 260 hours of content, including videos, podcasts, webinars, and
interactive learning tools. It also provides access to live expert sessions that share practical
strategies for effective classroom teaching.
• A unique feature of the TeacherApp is its teaching kits, which provide 900 hours of
materials, including lesson plans, teaching videos, project-based activities, worksheets, and
question banks.
• The App fosters community building by highlighting impactful teacher stories and
promoting collaboration among educators.

3. Which of the following points is/are correct with respect to the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit
held in Georgetown, Guyana on 20th November 2024?
A) Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India and Dickon Mitchell, PM of Grenada and the
current chairperson of the Caribbean Community(CARICOM) jointly chaired the 2nd India-
CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana.
B) India and Guyana signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen ties in
digital transformation.
C) Two Dornier HAL-228 aircraft were officially commissioned into the Guyana Defence Force
(GDF) Air Corps at a ceremony held at Air Station London, Timehri, Guyana.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C
Explanation:
On 20th November 2024, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India and Dickon Mitchell, PM of
Grenada and the current chairperson of the Caribbean Community(CARICOM) jointly chaired the 2nd
India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana.
• The CARICOM Summit was hosted by Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana.
• The summit included discussions on key areas of cooperation, cultural programs and bilateral
meetings.
• PM Modi offered assistance to CARICOM countries in seven key areas. The key areas will
promote the close bonds of friendship between India and CARICOM.
• During the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, Union Minister S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External
Affairs(MEA) and Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and
Tobago signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen ties in digital
transformation in the presence of PM Modi and Keith Rowley.
• Two Dornier HAL-228 aircraft were officially commissioned into the Guyana Defence Force
(GDF) Air Corps at a ceremony held at Air Station London, Timehri, Guyana. This marks the
first-ever Defence Line of Credit(LoC) extended to a Caribbean nation.

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4. In the first half of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (April-September 2025/H1FY25), the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) in its ‘RBI Bulletin – November 2024’ reported a net purchase of
__________________ in foreign currency assets.
1) USD 8.52 Billion
2) USD 9.6 Billion
3) USD 17.68 Billion
4) USD 23.45 Billion
5) USD 32.27 Billion
Answer- 1) USD 8.52 Billion
Explanation:
In the first half of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (April-September 2025/H1FY25), the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) in its ‘RBI Bulletin – November 2024’ reported a net purchase of USD 8.52 Billion in
foreign currency assets as compared to USD 17.68 Billion in H1FY24.
• As of September 2024, the RBI had bought a net USD 32.27 billion, including USD 9.6 billion
in September.
• RBI sold a net USD 1.5 billion in September 2023, and its net outstanding forward sales stood
at USD 14.58 billion by September 2024.
• As of November 8, 2024, India’s foreign exchange reserves were USD 675.7 billion, down from
a high of USD 705.8 billion in September.
• In 2024, India added USD 53.2 billion to its reserves, the second-largest increase in Asia.
• The RBI plans to launch its first local cloud storage service in 2025, aimed at providing
affordable cloud solutions for financial institutions and competing with global providers like
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
• The RBI in exercise of its powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read
with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has imposed a fine of Rs 61.40 lakh
on RBL Bank Limited for failing to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

5. To which country the first batch of the Indian manufactured and the most indigenously
developed Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL) were recently (in November ‘24)
exported?
1) Gambia
2) Turkey
3) France
4) Armenia
5) United States Turkey
Answer- 4) Armenia
Explanation:
On November 24 2024, the first batch of the Indian manufactured and the most indigenously
developed Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL) were exported to Armenia.
• In 2022, Armenia and India signed a contract worth Rs 2,000 crore for the supply of rocket
launchers. The Indian side confirmed that Armenia had ordered 3 models of Pinaka rocket
systems, which were to be transported from New Delhi to Yerevan by 2024.
• Armenia is one of 3 largest buyers of Indian weapons and equipment along with the
(United States) US and France.

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 • MBRL was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a
laboratory of the DRDO aimed at providing the army with firepower superiority that would
reduce casualties to soldiers in war.
• India simultaneously delivered two types of defense equipment to Armenia: DRDO-
developed rocket launchers and the Akash air defense missile system, showcasing its
commitment to strengthening Armenia’s defense capabilities.

6. National Constitution Day also known as ‘Samvidhan Divas’, is annually observed across
India on 26th November.
26 November 2024 marks the _______ Anniversary of adopting the Constitution of India.
1) 25th
2) 50th
3) 75th
4) 100th
5) 150th
Answer- 3) 75th
Explanation:
National Constitution Day also known as ‘Samvidhan Divas’, is annually observed across India on
26th November to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949 by the constituent
Assembly of India. 26 November 2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of adopting the Constitution of
India.
• 26 November 2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of adopting the Constitution of India.
• The theme of this year’s National Constitution Day is “Humara Samvidhan, Humara
Swabhimaan.”
• The first-ever Constitution Day was observed on 26 November 2015.
• A commemorative coin and stamp were released to mark the 75th anniversary of the
adoption of the Constitution of India.
• Two books titled “Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse” and “Making of the
Constitution of India & its Glorious Journey” were launched.
• On 24th January 2024, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar launched a campaign “Hamara
Samvidhan, Hamara Samman” at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi
(Delhi).

7. Whose birth anniversary is commemorated on National Milk Day, celebrated annually on

26th November in India?
1) Gurdev Khush
2) Dr. M S Swaminathan
3) Durgesh Patel
4) Dr Verghese Kurien
5) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Answer- 4) Dr Verghese Kurien
Explanation:
National Milk Day is annually observed across India on 26th November to commemorate the birth
anniversary of Dr Verghese Kurien, “Father of the White Revolution in India”.

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 • The annual observance is led by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying(MoFAH&D).
• 26th November 2024 marks the observance of the 11th National Milk Day and 103rd Birth
anniversary of Verghese Kurien, fondly known as “Milkman of India”.
• National Milk Day was jointly initiated by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), National Dairy
Development Board (NDDB) and 22 other State-Level Milk Federations in 2014.
• The first ever National Milk Day was observed on 26th November 2014.
• Verghese Kurienwas born on 26th November 1921 in Calicut (now Kozhikode), Kerala and
passed away on 9th September 2012 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh conferred the National Gopal Ratna Awards, one of the
highest National Awards in the livestock and dairy sector.
• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, MoFAH&D stated that the milk production has increased to
around 239 MT in 2023-24 on the back of improvement in productivity.

8. Name the portal that was launched by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation(MoSPI) to facilitate seamless access to official statistics in India.
1) NIRMAN
2) e-Sakshya
3) eSwasthya Dham
4) e-Sankhyiki
5) Skill India Digital Hub
Answer- 4) e-Sankhyiki
Explanation:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has launched the e-Sankhyiki
portal to facilitate seamless access to official statistics in India. This portal is designed to enhance the
accessibility and dissemination of official statistics in India, serving as a definitive source for reliable
statistical data.
• The Microdata of Surveys and Census is disseminated through a dedicated portal: Microdata
Portal.
• The e-Sankhyiki portal, with its Application Programming Interface (API), ensures seamless
data accessibility across various platforms, including the National Data and Analytics Platform
(NDAP).

9. Which organisation has recently (in November ‘24) celebrated the Diamond Jubilee on 26th
November 2024 in New Delhi, Delhi?
1) National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited
2) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
3) National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Limited
4) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
5) National Federation of State Co-operative Banks Limited
Answer- 5) National Federation of State Co-operative Banks Limited
Explanation:
On 26th November 2024, Union Minister Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and the
Ministry of Cooperation, attended the Diamond Jubilee (60 Years) celebrations of the National

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Federation of State Co-operative Banks Limited (NAFSCOB) and the national meeting of Rural
Cooperative Banks at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
• Union Minister Amit Shah stated that in 2027, India’s economy will be the 3rd largest economy
in the World, which is also a goal of the cooperative sector.
• India is moving from the concept of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (prosperity through cooperation) to
“Samriddhi Se Sampoornata” (from prosperity to completeness).
• The creation of the Ministry of Cooperation aligns with the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”,
emphasizing the importance of cooperation in achieving holistic development.
• National Federation of State Co-operative Banks Ltd (NAFSCOB) was founded in 1964 by Dr.
Dhananjayrao Ramchandra Gadgil and Maganbhai Patel with a vision to guide district and state
banks in India.
• It maintains authorized data of 100 parameters for agricultural loans, ensuring transparency
with an accuracy of 99.72%.

10. Which of the following points is/are correct with respect to the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana from 16th to 21st November 2024?
A) PM Modi was awarded with the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on 17th
November 2024 in a ceremony at the State House by the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.
B) He visited Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 18th November 2024 to participate in the G20 (Group of
20) Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva.
C) India and Guyana signed 5 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana that covered various sectors.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, was on an official visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana
from 16th to 21st November 2024 with an aim to strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties with
key global partners.
• PM Modi was awarded with the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on 17th
November 2024 in a ceremony at the State House by the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
• He visited Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 18th November 2024 to participate in the G20(Group of
20) Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva.
• India and Guyana signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana that covered various sectors.
• PM Modi was conferred with Guyana’s highest civilian honor, ‘The Order of Excellence’, by
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali at a ceremony on 20th November 2024 for his exceptional
service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution in deepening India-Guyana
relations.

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 • PM Modi was conferred with the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados Award by the PM
Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados for acknowledging his leadership and contributions.
• The Commonwealth of Dominica has conferred its highest national honour, the Dominica
Award of Honour, upon PM Narendra Modi and was presented by the President Sylvanie
Burton.
• PM Modi presented the global leaders with unique gifts from India during the three-nation
visit.

11. Which country has recently (in November ‘24) signed the Final Act of the Riyadh Design
Law Treaty (DLT)?
1) Australia
2) Canada
3) Russia
4) China
5) India
Answer- 5) India
Explanation:
India has signed the Final Act of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT), marking a significant
milestone after nearly two decades of negotiations.
• This treaty, adopted by the member states of the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), aims to harmonize and simplify the registration processes for
industrial designs across various jurisdictions.
• Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hosted the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and
Adopted the Design Law Treaty, from November 11 to 22, 2024.
• Focusing on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), startups, and independent
designers, aligning with initiatives like India’s Startup India program and Startups
Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme.

12. Which organisation has recently (in November ‘24) signed an agreement with India’s
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to implement solar energy projects in Fiji, Comoros,
Madagascar, and Seychelles?
1) International Solar Alliance
2) Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited
3) Tata Power Solar Systems Limited
4) National Institute of Solar Energy
5) International Solar Energy Society
Answer- 1) International Solar Alliance
Explanation:
On November 26, 2024 an agreement was signed between India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), to implement solar energy projects in Fiji, Comoros,
Madagascar, and Seychelles.
• The initiative aims to enhance energy access and reliability in these nations by introducing
solar-powered solutions.
• Under this partnership, the ISA will serve as the Project Implementing Agency, with India
contributing USD 2 million towards the project.

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 • The Wilmington Declaration, issued at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware, emphasized
collaboration among Quad countries (India, USA, Japan, and Australia) to support clean
energy supply chains. This commitment was reiterated during the Quad Leaders Summit in
September 2024, where clean energy investments were prioritized.
• This initiative underscores India’s dedication to driving clean energy transitions and
fostering sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific.

13. Which of the following companies has ‘not’ received the licence by the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator - Cross Border (PA-CB) entity?
1) Cashfree Payments
2) Amazon Pay
3) Adyen India
4) Razorpay
5) BillDesk
Answer- 4) Razorpay
Explanation:
Since the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had notified guidelines to regulate Payment Aggregator- Cross
Border (PA-CB) entities in 2023, only 4 companies: Cashfree Payments, Amazon Pay, BillDesk, and
Adyen India have received the licence to operate within this highly regulated sector.
• This is in contrast with the 41 companies that have been approved to function as domestic
online Payment Aggregators (PAs).
• Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Cashfree Payments was the 1st company in India, to receive a
PA-CB licence in July, 2024. It had received approval from the RBI to operate within the import
and export sectors.
• Obtaining a license in this sector requires meeting stringent regulations, including Foreign
Exchange Management Act (FEMA) compliance, which is not mandatory for domestic/local
payment aggregators.
• Entities/ Companies that have a domestic PA licence, may get priority when applying for a PA-
CB licence, as they have already shown the necessary compliance during the domestic PA
licensing process.
• As per RBI norms, all non-banks providing payment aggregation and payment processing
services are required to have a minimum net worth of Rs 15 crore during application to RBI.
• Mandatory registration with Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) before RBI
Authorization.

14. In November 2024, the World Bank (WB) approved _________________ funding for the
Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Project in Tripura and
Nagaland.
1) USD 126.7 million
2) USD 191.4 million
3) USD 225.5 million
4) USD 263.2 million
5) USD 289.9 million
Answer- 3) USD 225.5 million

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Explanation:
The World Bank (WB) has approved USD 225.5 million funding for the Enhancing Landscape and
Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Project, aimed at improving forest management and enhancing
economic opportunities in Tripura and Nagaland.
• This decision is expected to benefit over 700,000 people across more than 400 villages in
these northeastern Indian states.
• The funding comprises a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD) with a maturity period of 12 years, including a grace period of 4.5
years.
• The project will also receive a complementary grant of USD 2.4 million from the Global
Partnership for Sustainable and Resilient Landscapes (PROGREEN).
• ELEMENT Project will conserve and restore 100,000 hectares of forest for biodiversity
and tribal livelihoods.
• It prevents 435,000 tons of carbon emissions annually to mitigate climate change.

15. Who has recently (in November ‘24) became the first Indian to host International Emmy
Awards 2024?
1) Vir Das
2) Aditi Mittal
3) Kenny Sebastian
4) Manish Paul
5) Kapil Sharma
Answer- 1) Vir Das
Explanation:
On 25th November 2024, the 52nd International Emmy Awards 2024 took place in New York,
United States of America (USA). The awards were presented by the International Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences (IATAS). The event was hosted by Indian stand-up comedian and actor
Vir Das. With this, he became the first Indian to host this annual event.
• Vir Das won the Emmy’s Best Comedian award 2023 for ‘Landing’, a Netflix special. He became
the first Indian comedian to win an Emmy award.
• The International Emmy Directorate Award was presented to Sidonie Dumas, Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of Gaumont, the Paris (France) based television & film production
group, and International Emmy Founders Award was presented to the American writer-
producer David E. Kelley.
• France’s Les Gouttes de Dieu (Drops of God) won the Best Drama Series award.
• There are 56 nominees across 14 categories from 21 countries, viz: Argentina, Australia,
Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,
Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, and the UK.

16. Name the campaign that was recently (in November ‘24) launched by Union Minister
Annapurna Devi to eradicate child marriage and empower young girls in India.
1) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
2) Balika Samridhi Yojana
3) Kanya Shiksha Yojana

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4) Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat
5) Sukanya Samriddhi Abhiyan
Answer- 4) Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat
Explanation:
On November 27 2024, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi,
launched the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” campaign in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi(Delhi) to eradicate
child marriage and empower young girls across the nation. This national initiative is a strategic effort
to combat child marriage, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to be educated, protected, and
free to pursue her dreams.
• The launch coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global
movement running from 25th November, 2024 (International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women) to 10th December 2024 (Human Rights Day).
• The event also marked the launch of ‘Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal’, a vital online
platform that empowers citizens to report child marriage incidents, file complaints, and access
details about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) nationwide.
• The aim of this campaign is to reduce child marriage prevalence to below 5% by 2029. Child
marriage rates dropped from 47.4% in 2006 to 23.3% in 2019-21.
• It strictly prohibits marriages involving girls under 18 and boys under 21, with stringent
penalties for violators.
• It draws inspiration from successful initiatives such as “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP)
focuses on raising awareness, fostering collaboration between government, Non-Governmental
Organization (NGOs), citizens and promoting gender equality through education and social
empowerment.
• The Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal is a game-changer, allowing citizens to actively report
violations and contribute to the movement.

17. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry for Science and Technology (MoS&T)
announced the selection of 8 StartUps to support __________________ and the National Mission on
Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS).
1) National Quantum Mission
2) Atal Innovation Mission
3) Digital India Mission
4) Smart Cities Mission
5) Skill India Mission
Answer- 1) National Quantum Mission
Explanation:
In November 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh,
Ministry for Science and Technology (MoS&T) announced the selection of 8 StartUps for support
under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)’s newly framed guidelines.
• These startups were selected under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and the National
Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS).
• These startups were selected through a rigorous evaluation process aimed to promote
innovation and advance India’s quantum ecosystem.

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 • In 2023, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had approved NQM
with the budget outlay of Rs 6,003.65 crore for a period of 8 years i.e. from Financial Year
2023-24 (FY24) to FY31.
• The key target of NQM is to develop intermediate scale quantum computers with 50 to 1000
physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms such as superconducting and photonic
technology.

18. Where was the India-Singapore bilateral military exercise ‘Agni Warrior (XAW-2024)’ held
from 28 to 30 November 2024?
1) Odisha
2) Goa
3) Maharashtra
4) Gujarat
5) Andhra Pradesh
Answer- 3) Maharashtra
Explanation:
The India-Singapore bilateral military exercise ‘Agni Warrior (XAW-2024)’ was held at the Devlali
Field Firing Ranges in Maharashtra from November 28 to November 30. This annual exercise is part
of the ongoing defense collaboration between the two nations and aims to enhance cooperation and
interoperability between their artillery units.
• The 13th edition of Joint Military Exercise intends to showcase joint firepower planning and
execution, utilizing New Generation Equipment by the artillery arms of both armies.
• The Agni Warrior Exercise has been conducted under the Army Bilateral Agreement between
India and Singapore since 2004.
• The aim of XAW-2024 was to maximise mutual understanding of drills and procedures to
achieve jointness as a multinational force under the United Nations(UN) Charter.
• The exercise involved the exchange of best practices and advanced techniques, enhancing
operational understanding and strengthening mutual trust between the Indian Army and
Singapore Armed Forces.
• As both countries approach 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, their defense ties have
deepened.

19. Name the portal that was recently (in November ‘24) launched by the Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food & Public Distribution which enables the consumers to file their complaints.
1) eMaap
2) U-WIN
3) Lokpath
4) VisioNxt
5) e-Dakhil
Answer- 5) e-Dakhil
Explanation:
In November 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food
& Public Distribution(MoCAF&PD) announced that the “e-Daakhil portal” has been launched
successfully across all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India.

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 • This milestone is achieved following the launch of e-Daakhil portal by Lieutenant Governor of
Ladakh, Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) in Ladakh on 22nd November 2024, making the portal a
truly pan-India initiative.
• It was 1st introduced on 7th September, 2020 by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal
Commission (NCDRC), as an innovative platform designed to streamline the consumer
grievance redressal process.
• It provides an efficient and convenient way for consumers to approach the relevant
consumer forums, eliminating the need for physical appearances at those forums.
• It offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which enables the consumers to file their
complaints, help them to keep track of the status of their complaints and make payments.

20. Which of the following points is/are correct with respect to the Times Higher Education
(THE)’s inaugural “Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) 2025”?
A) New York (the United States of America, USA)-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) has secured 1st spot in the rankings with an overall score of 92.4.
B) Anna University in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) has topped among all Indian universities
featured on the list and secured 42nd position globally with an overall score 66.1.
C) India with 75 universities has emerged as the most represented country on the list.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
According to Times Higher Education (THE)’s inaugural “Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR)
2025”, Anna University in Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) has topped among all Indian universities
featured on the list and secured 42nd position globally with an overall score 66.1.
• It is the only Indian university which featured among the Top 50 universities of the list.
• New York (the United States of America, USA)-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) has secured 1st spot in the rankings with an overall score of 92.4, followed by Stanford
University (the USA) and National University of Singapore (NUS) (Singapore) ranked at 2nd
and 3rd position respectively.
• India and Saudi Arabia are the most represented countries in the top 100 from Asia region,
with 6 each, followed by Hong Kong SAR and Japan, with 5 each.
• India with 65 universities has emerged as the most represented country on the list. However,
no Indian institute/ university featured among the top 10 universities in the rankings.
• Only 4 Indian universities including both private and public were featured among the top 100
universities globally.

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21. Which bank has recently (in November ‘24) signed an MoU with Mastercard Impact Fund to
enhance Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) financing across the Asia-Pacific
region?
1) World Bank
2) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
3) Reserve Bank of India
4) New Development Bank
5) Asian Development Bank
Answer- 5) Asian Development Bank
Explanation:
On 28th November 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Mastercard Impact Fund,
administered by the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to launch a transformative partnership which aimed to enhance Micro, Small
and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) financing across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Under this partnership, Mastercard will give USD 5 million grant from its Impact Fund to
Financial Institutions (FIs), to boost lending towards MSMEs in the region, with special focus
on women-led enterprises and climate financing among all small businesses.
• This grant will help to unlock USD 1 billion in ADB financing for a period of 4 years.
• According to the MoU, the partnership will initially focus on 7 countries from the region:
Georgia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
• The MSMEs in Asia-Pacific region face significant financing shortfall, with nearly 50% of them
are either unserved or underserved by FIs, resulting in a credit gap estimated at USD 2.5
trillion.

22. In November 2024, Hemant Soren was sworn in as the ______ Chief Minister (CM) of
Jharkhand. This marks Hemant Soren’s _______ term as CM of Jharkhand.
1) 15th, 5th
2) 14th, 4th
3) 14th, 3th
4) 15th, 4th
5) 16th, 3th
Answer- 2) 14th, 4th
Explanation:
On 28th November 2024, Hemant Soren was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister(CM) of
Jharkhand at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This marks Hemant Soren’s 4th term as CM of
Jharkhand.
• Governor of Jharkhand, Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and
secrecy.
• He took charge as CM for the first time in 2013. He was again re-elected in 2019.

23. Who has been recently (in November ‘24) elected as 11th President of Asian Development
Bank (ADB)?
1) Masato Kanda
2) Scott Morris
3) Bhargav Dasgupta

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4) Masatsugu Asakawa
5) Yingming Yang
Answer- 1) Masato Kanda
Explanation:
On November 28 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors elected Masato
Kanda as 11th President of ADB. He will succeed incumbent Masatsugu Asakawa, who will leave
office on February 23 2025.
• He will assume office on 24th February 2025 and will also complete the unexpired tenure of
Masatsugu Asakawa that ends on 23rd November 2026.
• Prior to this appointment, Masato Kanda served as Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister
(PM) and Ministry of Finance.
• Masato Kanda has held key leadership roles at the Ministry of Finance of Japan, including Vice-
Minister of Finance for International Affairs gaining nearly 4 decades of experience.
• During his tenure as Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Japan made a record
contribution of more than USD 1 billion to the Asian Development Fund 13th replenishment
(ADF 13).

24. Which of the following points is/are correct with respect to the approval of the Competition
Commission of India (CCI) on 26th November 2024?
A) CCI has approved MUFG Bank, Ltd.’s acquisition of additional securities in DMI Finance
Private Limited, increasing its shareholding to 20%.
B) It has approved Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited’s acquisition of the unsecured personal loans
portfolio worth Rs 4100 crore from Standard Chartered Bank, India Branch.
C) CCI has approved Shoreline International Holdings LLC’s investment in Flipkart Private
Limited through a share subscription.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
On 26th November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following
proposals:
• CCI has approved acquisition of shares in Rebel Foods Private Limited by Jongsong
Investments Private Limited, involving the subscription to compulsorily convertible preference
shares and the purchase of equity shares.
• CCI has approved MUFG Bank, Ltd.’s acquisition of additional securities in DMI Finance Private
Limited, increasing its shareholding to 20%.
• CCI has approved Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited’s acquisition of the unsecured personal loans
portfolio worth Rs 4100 crore from Standard Chartered Bank, India Branch.
• CCI has approved Shoreline International Holdings LLC’s investment in Flipkart Private
Limited through a share subscription, along with an arrangement for service provision
between an affiliate of Shoreline and Flipkart’s subsidiary.

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 • CCI has approved Starcin Holding France SAS’s acquisition of 100% of the shares in Fosroc Top
One Limited, Fosroc Top Two Limited, and Fosroc Supply FZE, collectively known as the Target
Companies.

25. From which submarine, the Indian Navy recently (in November ‘24) tested the K-4 nuclear-
capable ballistic missile?
1) INS Arihant
2) INS Arighaat
3) INS Vikrant
4) INS Chakra
5) INS Aridhaman
Answer- 2) INS Arighaat
Explanation:
On 28th November 2024, the Indian Navy (IN) successfully tested the K-4 nuclear-capable ballistic
missile from its newly commissioned submarine, INS Arighaat.
• The K-4, with a range of 3,500 km, is an upgrade over the K-15 missiles used on INS Arihant,
which have a range of 750 km.
• INS Arighaat, India’s 2nd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, was commissioned
in August 2024 and is equipped with advanced Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO)-developed technology.
• The submarine has 4 launch tubes capable of carrying 12 K-15 Sagarika Submarine-Launched
Ballistic Missile (SLBM) with a range of 750 km or four K-4 SLBMs with a range of 3,500 km.
• The test strengthens India’s nuclear triad, with land, air, and sea-based capabilities.
• India’s sea-based deterrence is reinforced by INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, with the third, INS
Aridhaman, set to be commissioned in 2025.

26. For which year India has recently (in November ‘24) got the hosting rights for the Asian
Rifle/Pistol Cup?
1) 2029
2) 2028
3) 2026
4) 2025
5) 2027
Answer- 3) 2026
Explanation:
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced that the executive committee of the Asian
Shooting Confederation (ASC) has awarded the hosting rights for 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup to
India.
• This competition is set to take place in New Delhi, Delhi in 2026.
• India has previously hosted the 8th Asian Air Gun Competition in 2015 and the Asian Olympic
Qualifier in 2016.
• India hosted the ISSF World Cup Final Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in New Delhi, Delhi in 2024.

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27. 18th NCB International Conference & Exhibition on Cement, Concrete, and Building
materials held from 27th to 29th November, 2024 in New Delhi, Delhi.
Who received the NCB Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional
contributions to the cement and concrete sector?
1) Yogesh Singh
2) Dr. HC Visvesvaraya
3) Vinay Kumar Pathak
4) Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta
5) Arti Bhatnagar
Answer- 2) Dr. HC Visvesvaraya
Explanation:
Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), inaugurated the 18th NCB International
Conference & Exhibition on Cement, Concrete, and Building materials, held from 27th to 29th
November, 2024 at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IIC) Dwarka in
New Delhi, Delhi.
• The conference was organised by the National Council for Cement and Building Materials
(NCB), under the administrative control of the DPIIT, MoC&I.
• Theme of the conference was “Cement the Net Zero Future” which signifies India’s
commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
• During the event, Amardeep Singh Bhatia released a short film on 200 Glorious Years of
Cement and Concrete Construction Industry, Conference Proceedings, Compendium titled “The
Cement Industry-India 2024” and a publication focused on Alternative fuels and raw
materials.
• He also presented the NCB Lifetime Achievement Award to Padma Shri awardee Dr. HC
Visvesvaraya in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the cement and concrete
sector.
• During the conference, the NCB signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to
promote decarbonization and technological innovation in the cement industry.
• On 29th November 2024, Arti Bhatnagar, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor of DPIIT,
MoC&I presented the National Awards for Indian Cement Industry on the concluding day of the
conference.

28. Exercise CINBAX, a Joint Table Top Exercise (TTX) between the Indian Army (IA) and which
nation's Army began in December 2024 at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra.
1) Colombia
2) Canada
3) Czech Republic
4) Cambodia
5) China
Answer- 4) Cambodia
Explanation:
On December 1 2024, the inaugural edition of Exercise CINBAX, a Joint Table Top Exercise (TTX)
between the Indian Army(IA) and Cambodian Army commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Pune,
Maharashtra.

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 • CINBAX 2024 will run till 8th December 2024.
• The exercise aims to enhance the operational efficiency and interoperability of both armies
in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations Charter.
• The Exercise CINBAX involves 20 personnel from each side, with the IA contingent
comprising soldiers from an Infantry Brigade.
• The primary objective of the exercise is to plan and conduct joint Counter Terrorism (CT)
operations, focusing on establishing a Joint Training Task (JTT) Force for Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.
• The key areas of discussion include information operations, cyber warfare, hybrid warfare,
logistics, casualty management, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
operations.

29. According to NITI Aayog’s report “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy: Perspectives
and Recommendations of the Future Work” published in June 2022, the number of gig and
platform workers is expected to increase to 23.5 million by ____________.
1) 2025-26
2) 2026-27
3) 2027-28
4) 2028-29
5) 2029-30
Answer- 5) 2029-30
Explanation:
On 28th November 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Ministry of
Labour & Employment (MoL&E) has informed the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of Parliament) that
as per the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)’s report titled “India’s Booming
Gig and Platform Economy: Perspectives and Recommendations of the Future Work” published
in June 2022, the number of gig and platform workers is expected to increase to 23.5 million by
2029-30.
• The gig workers will constitute 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce or 4.1% of the total
livelihood in India by 2029-30.
• As per the estimation of the report, around 7 million people (including women) were engaged
in the gig economy in 2020-21, which constituted 2.6% of the non-agricultural workforce or
1.5% of the total workforce in India.
• It is estimated that India’s gig economy will grow at the rate of 17%, with gross volume
expected to reach USD 455 billion in 2024.
• Also, the gig sector has the potential to create 90 million jobs and contribute 1.25% to India’s
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2030.
• The Government of India (GoI) for the 1st time has defined “gig workers” and “platform
workers” and provisions related to them in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has been
enacted by the Parliament.
• As per the Act, gig worker is a person who performs work or participates in a work
arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee
relationships.

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30. In November 2024, India was re-elected to the United Nations (UN) Peacebuilding
Commission (PBC) for the _____________ term, consolidating its position in global peace efforts.
1) 2025-2026
2) 2026-2027
3) 2027-2028
4) 2028-2029
5) 2029-2030
Answer- 1) 2025-2026
Explanation:
On 28th November 2024, India was re-elected to the United Nations (UN) Peacebuilding Commission
(PBC) for the 2025-2026 term, consolidating its position in global peace efforts.
• Currently, India is serving as the member of the commission and its tenure will expire on 31st
December, 2024.
• The announcement was made by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.
• PBC was established in December, 2005 as an intergovernmental advisory body that supports
peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and is an important addition to the capacity of the
International Community in the broad peace agenda.
• India has been a founding member of the UN-PBC since its formation in 2005.
• At present, PBC has 31 member states which are elected from the UN General Assembly
(UNGA) and UN Security Council (UNSC) and UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• India is among the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping missions.
• Currently, India has deployed about 6,000 military and police personnel to UN operations in
Abyei, the Central African Republic (CAR), Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon,
the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
• In 2007, India was the first nation to send an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping
mission.

31. To which country Russia handed over the BRICS chairmanship in the final Sherpa and Sous-
Sherpa meeting of BRICS held in Ekaterinburg, Russia in November 2024?
1) Brazil
2) India
3) China
4) South Africa
5) Saudi Arabia
Answer- 1) Brazil
Explanation:
The final Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)
was held in Ekaterinburg, Russia from 27th to 28th November 2024.
• The meeting witnessed the ceremonial handover of the BRICS chairmanship from Russia to
Brazil, marking the end of a pivotal year for the bloc under Russia’s leadership.
• During its tenure, Russia organised over 250 events to strengthen cooperation within BRICS.
• Under Russia’s presidency, XVI BRICS Summit was held in Kazan from 22nd to 24th October
2024. This led to the adoption of the Kazan Declaration.

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 • The summit also marked the expansion of BRICS. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates
(UAE), and Ethiopia were welcomed as a full member in 2024. Additionally, Belarus,
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand joined as BRICS partners in 2024.
• Brazil is expected to build on the foundations laid during Russia’s presidency to enhance
collaboration among its members and its new partners.

32. Which country and India has recently (in November ‘24) signed a Statement of Intent (SoI)
to collaborate on Design & Development of Electric Propulsion Systems for the Indian Navy
(IN)?
1) Gambia
2) Russia
3) Australia
4) United Kingdom
5) United States of America
Answer- 4) United Kingdom
Explanation:
India and the United Kingdom (UK) signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to collaborate on Design &
Development of Electric Propulsion Systems for the Indian Navy(IN).
• The signing was part of the third Joint Working Group on Electric Propulsion Capability
Partnership (JWG EPCP) meeting, symbolising the commitment to promote indigenous
development of niche technologies.
• The SoI would serve as a broader framework intended for cooperation in the co-design, co-
creation and co-production of Electric Propulsion capability for future Naval Ships.
• The deal also paves the way for Rolls-Royce MT-30 gas turbines to be used in Indian warships
which are already in use by the UK’s HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, known
for their power and efficiency.
• The Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) was the first project, planned to be built at an Indian
Shipyard, envisaged to have a Full Electric Propulsion System.

33. When is the United Nations (UN’s) Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
annually observed across the globe?
1) December 1
2) November 30
3) November 28
4) October 26
5) September 23
Answer- 2) November 30
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN’s) Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is annually
observed across the globe on 30th November to honor and remember victims who lost their lives or
endured suffering due to chemical warfare.
• The day reaffirms the dedication of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) to eradicating the threat of chemical weapons and advancing the principles of peace,
security, and international cooperation.

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 • The first-ever Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Welfare was observed on 30th
November 2016.
• The Twenty-Ninth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the CWC (CSP-29) was
held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 25 November 2024.
• OPCW-The Hague Award – OPCW-The Hague Award 2024 ceremony was held and it honored
two recipients this year: Indian Chemical Council (ICC) and Algeria’s National Institute of
Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG).

34. Which of the following points is/are correct with respect to the implementation of three
new Criminal Laws to the nation during the program organised in Chandigarh in December
2024?
A) The three new criminal laws- Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita (BNS2) Act 2023, Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita (BNSS2) Act 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second)
Adhiniyam(BSA2) ACT 2023 came into effect on 1st July 2024.
B) These new acts replaced the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Code of Criminal
Procedure (CrPc) 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act 1872.
C) These laws are available in all the languages in the 6th Schedule through the Bhashini
Application (app).
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
On 3rd December 2024, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi dedicated the successful
implementation of three new Criminal Laws to the nation during the program organised with the
theme “Secure Society, Developed India – From Punishment to Justice” in Chandigarh.
• Chandigarh has become the 1st Union Territory (UT) in the country to fully implement the
Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita (BNS2) Act, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second)
Sanhita (BNSS2) Act, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Adhiniyam(BSA2) Act, 2023.
• The three new criminal laws- BNS2 Act 2023, BNSS2 Act 2023 and BSA2 ACT 2023 came into
effect on 1st July 2024, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Code of
Criminal Procedure (CrPc) 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act (IEA) 1872, respectively.
• These laws are available in all the languages in the 8th Schedule through the Bhashini
Application(app).
• E-Vaarta facility has also been introduced in Chandigarh between the police, judiciary,
forensic, prosecution and jail through the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).
• BNS2 Act, 2023 has retained acts such as rape, stalking and insulting the modesty of a woman
as criminal activities. It has increased the maximum age of the victim from 16 to 18 years of
age in the case of gangrape.
• BNSS2 Act, 2023 mandated forensic investigation for offences punishable with 7 years of
imprisonment or more.
• BSA2 Act, 2023 retains most provisions of the IEA including those on confessions, relevancy of
facts, and burden of proof. Click here to read more.

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35. Name the Joint Military Exercise between the Indian Army (IA) and the Malaysian Army
that commenced in Pahang district, Malaysia from December 2 to 15, 2024.
1) VINBAX
2) IMBEX
3) Garuda Shakti
4) Harimau Shakti
5) MITRA SHAKTI
Answer- 4) Harimau Shakti
Explanation:
On December 2, 2024, the 4th edition of India- Malaysia Joint Military Exercise ‘Harimau Shakti’,
between the Indian Army (IA) and the Malaysian Army, commenced at Bentong Camp in Pahang
district, Malaysia. The exercise is scheduled to continue until December 15, 2024.
• The aim of Harimau Shakti 2024 is to enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting
bilateral relations between the two nations.
• Harimau Shakti, the Indo-Malaysia joint exercise, has been conducted annually Since 2012 to
enhance bilateral ties and cooperation between the two nations.
• The Indian contingent is represented by 78 personnel from the MAHAR Regiment, while the
Malaysian contingent comprises 123 personnel from the Royal Malaysian Regiment.
• The exercise is structured into two distinct phases: cross-training and simulated exercise.

36. In November 2024, Government of India (GoI) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a
_______________ loan agreement aimed at enhancing horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified
disease-free planting materials.
1) USD 67 million
2) USD 82 million
3) USD 98 million
4) USD 114 million
5) USD 123 million
Answer- 3) USD 98 million
Explanation:
In November 2024, the Government of India (GoI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a
USD 98 million loan agreement aimed at enhancing horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified
disease-free planting materials.
• The loan agreement is part of the “Building India’s Clean Plant Programme” and was signed
by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), Ministry of
Finance(MoF), and Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
• This initiative is designed to improve crop yield, quality, and resilience to climate change.
• The project aims to establish at least six clean plant centers. These centers will be equipped
with advanced laboratories for disease diagnostics and staffed with trained experts to enhance
plant health management.
• It will introduce a clean plant certification scheme to accredit private nurseries, ensuring the
testing and certification of their planting materials.
• The Project will be executed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) in
collaboration with the National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR).

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 • According to production data of Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical
Database(FAOSTAT), India is the world’s largest producer of milk, pulses, and jute.

37. Who has been recently (in November ‘24) elected as the 1st female President of Namibia for
a period of 5 years?
1) Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
2) Katrina Hanse-Himarwa
3) Saara Kuugongelwa
4) Libertina Amathila
5) Marlene Mungunda
Answer- 1) Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Explanation:
On 3rd December 2024, Namibian Vice President Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah(NNN), a
presidential election candidate of ruling SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organisation) political
party, has been elected as the 1st female President of Namibia for a period of 5 years. She will be
sworn in on 21 March 2025 and succeed the interim President, Nangolo Mbumba.
• With this, she will become the 5th President of Namibia and 4th African female leader to hold
the post of President in their respective country after Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia), Joyce
Banda (Malawi) and incumbent Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
• Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a vocal advocate for women’s rights. She was instrumental in
passing the Combating of Domestic Violence Act in 2002.
• She was elected as Vice-President of SWAPO in 2017, thus becoming the 1st woman to hold
this position.
• She has previously served as Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Minister of
International Relations and Cooperation from 2015-2024 under the regime of President Hage
G. Geingob.
• After the demise of President Hage G. Geingob in February 2024, she was appointed as Vice-
President of Namibia.

38. In November 2024, World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council unanimously
reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as 8th Director General (DG) for a consecutive ____________
term. Her second term is set to begin on September 1, 2025.
1) 1 year
2) 2 year
3) 3 year
4) 4 year
5) 5 year
Answer- 4) 4 year
Explanation:
In November 2024, the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council unanimously reappointed
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as 8th Director General(DG) for a consecutive 4 year term. Her second term is
set to begin on September 1, 2025
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, first assumed office as
7th DG of WTO on March 1, 2021 and her first term concludes on August 31 2025.

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 • Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a global finance expert, an economist and international development
professional with over 40 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America
and North America.
• She served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003-2006, 2011-2015), the first woman to
hold the position, and spent a 25-year career at the World Bank rising to the No. 2 position of
Managing Director (MD), Operations.
• In 2020 she was named as the “Forbes African of the Year” and has been ranked by Fortune as
one of the “50 Greatest World Leaders (2015)” and by Forbes as one of the “Top 100 Most
Powerful Women” in the World consecutively for four years.

39. Which of the following points is/are correct with respect to the International Day of
Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD)?
A) United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) was annually
observed across the globe on 5th December.
B) On the occasion of IDPD 2024, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, honoured 33
outstanding individuals and institutions with the National Awards for the Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in New Delhi.
C) The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), celebrated the IDPwD 2024 by launching 16
initiatives to empower Divyangjans across India.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) was annually
observed across the globe on 3rd December to raise awareness about the rights and well-being of
persons with disabilities in political, social, economic, and cultural spheres.
• The theme of IDPwD 2024 is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an
inclusive and sustainable future”.
• The International Day of Disabled Persons was first observed on 3rd December 1992.
• Marking the occasion of IDPD 2024, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, honoured 33
outstanding individuals and institutions with the National Awards for the Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in New Delhi.
• The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), celebrated the IDPwD 2024 by launching 16
innovative initiatives to empower Divyangjans across India.
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, an online platform introduced to a list of accessibility auditors for
buildings, showing the government’s dedication to building inclusive infrastructure.
• Sugamya Bharat Yatra, a special project in collaboration with the Association for Persons
with Disabilities, where people with disabilities will evaluate the accessibility of public spaces
using the AI-powered “Yes to Access” app.

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 • An important partnership with Infosys BPM was established to improve job opportunities for
Divyangjans through the Divyangjan Rozgar Setu initiative on the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur
Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana (PM DAKSH) portal. Click here to read more.

40. Under which ministry Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan also known as the Accessible India
Campaign (AIC), a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI) has completed 9 years of
successful implementation on 3rd December 2024?
1) Ministry of Home Affairs
2) Ministry of Labour and Employment
3) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
4) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
5) Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Answer- 4) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Explanation:
On December 3 2024, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, also known as the Accessible India Campaign (AIC),
a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI) for persons with disabilities (PwDs), completed 9
years of successful implementation.
• It was launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 3rd December, 2015, on the
occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
• It is being monitored by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
(DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E).
• The primary objective of the campaign is to ensure universal accessibility for PwDs across 3
main domains: built infrastructure, transport systems, and the Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.
• So far, 1,671 government buildings were audited for accessibility under the target of auditing
25 to 50 buildings in 50 cities.
• The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) was set up in September
2015 in New Delhi (Delhi), to promote the use, teaching and research of Indian Sign Language
(ISL).
• The GoI is working on finalising accessibility standards for the 4 remaining identified sectors:
Road Transport and Highways, Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, and Financial Services.
• Sugamya Bharat App is a crowdsourcing mobile application (app) launched in 2021 by the
MoSJ&E, under the AIC to address the issues related to accessibility being faced by Divyangjan
(differently-abled). Click here to read more.

41. With which organisation the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently (in November ‘24)
signed an agreement for the Short Refit and Dry Docking (SRDD) of Indian Naval Ship (INS)
Vikramaditya?
1) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
2) Cochin Shipyard Limited
3) Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
4) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
5) Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited
Answer- 2) Cochin Shipyard Limited

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Explanation:
On 30 November 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed an agreement with Kochi(Kerala) based
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Short Refit and Dry Docking (SRDD) of Indian Naval Ship (INS)
Vikramaditya, the flagship aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy (IN).
• The contract, valued at Rs 1207.5 crore, is set to last for 5 months and marks a significant step
in enhancing India’s naval capabilities.
• This effort aligns with the Government of India (GoI)’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant
India) and Make in India missions, significantly boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities
and promoting self-reliance in the maritime sector.
• INS Vikramaditya, a 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier, is originally a Kiev-class aircraft carrier
acquired from Russia. It is named after the legendary Indian emperor Vikramaditya.
• These upgrades will boost the carrier’s operational readiness and ability to respond to evolving
maritime challenges.

42. Which traditional saree from Gujarat was recently (in November ‘24) received the GI tag
from the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry?
1) Patola
2) Panetar
3) Banarasi
4) Bandhani
5) Gharchola
Answer- 5) Gharchola
Explanation:
In November 2024, Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) based Geographical Indications (GI) Registry, operating
under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce
and Industry (MoCI), has granted the prestigious GI tag to Gujarat’s “Gharchola”, a traditional sari
worn during weddings. This is Gujarat’s 27the GI tags, with 23 of them recognizing handicrafts.
• The GI tag for Gharchola was presented during the “GI and Beyond – Virasat Se Vikas Tak”
program organized by the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The GI recognition highlights Gujarat’s dedication to preserving its rich cultural legacy. This GI
tag not only certifies the authenticity of the Gharchola but also acts as an important marketing
tool to elevate its global presence.
• Traditionally worn at weddings and other important events, these sarees are crafted using
time-honored techniques.
• Several other traditional crafts from Gujarat have received GI recognition. These include
Surat’s ‘Saadeli’ art, Banaskantha’s ‘Soof’ embroidery, Bharuch’s ‘Sujni’ craft, Ahmedabad’s
‘Saudagiri Print’, Kutch’s Ajrakh, and the colourful ‘Mata Ni Pachedi’ handicrafts, further
enhancing the state’s position as a hub of exceptional craftsmanship.

43. According to the recent (in November ‘24) report on ‘Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi)
commitments by Indian companies’ released by the______________________, India has secured the
______ spot globally.
1) ICRA ESG Ratings Limited, 6th
2) CareEdge Ratings, 4th
3) Acuité Ratings & Research Limited, 5th

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4) India Ratings and Research, 7th
5) CRISIL ESG Ratings & Analytics Limited, 8th
Answer- 1) ICRA ESG Ratings Limited, 6th
Explanation:
According to the report on ‘SBTi commitments by Indian companies’ released by the ICRA ESG
Ratings Limited (formerly known as Pragati Development Consulting Services Limited), India has
secured the 6th spot globally in corporate climate action with 127 companies committed to net-zero
targets under the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi).
• The United Kingdom (UK) topped the list with 702 companies committed to SBTi targets,
followed by the United States of America (USA) with 425 companies in 2nd place. China
ranked 3rd with 233 companies, while Germany secured 4th place with 203 companies.
Sweden with 143 companies in 5th place.
• The report shows that though India is contributing approximately 7% of global emissions, its
corporate commitments reflect a growing awareness, though high-emission sectors like power,
energy, and cement are still behind in adopting such goals.
• As per the report, six Indian power sector companies have adopted SBTi targets, with three
operating primarily in Renewable Energy(RE).
• The report stated that around 9,000 companies globally have committed to emission reduction
targets, with around 3,500 specifically targeting net-zero emissions. Click here to read more.

44. Which company has recently (in December ‘24) topped in India and the world, respectively,
as per the report “SIPRI TOP 100 ARMS-PRODUCING AND MILITARY SERVICES COMPANIES,
2023” released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)?
1) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Lockheed Martin
2) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and General Dynamics
3) Cochin Shipyard Limited and Raytheon Technologies Corporation
4) TATA Advanced Systems Limited and Northrop Grumman
5) Bharat Electronics Limited and Lockheed Martin
Answer- 1) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Lockheed Martin
Explanation:
According to the Report “SIPRI TOP 100 ARMS-PRODUCING AND MILITARY SERVICES COMPANIES,
2023” released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on 2nd
December 2024, The three companies – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)(43rd), Bharat
Electronics Limited (BEL) (67th), and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) (94th) are placed
among the world’s 100 largest arms producers in 2023.
• All three defense public sector undertakings (DPSUs) combined revenues from sales of arms
and military services has increased to USD 6.74 billion in 2023, growing 5.8% from USD 6.37
billion in 2022.
• The top 5 companies in the list belong to United States of America (USA) namely Lockheed
Martin (USD 60.81 billion) on the top followed by Raytheon Technologies Corporation
(RTX) (USD 40.66 billion) on 2nd spot, Northrop Grumman (USD 35.57 billion) on 3rd,
Boeing (USD 31.1 billion) on 4th and General Dynamics (USD 30.2 billion) on 5th spot
respectively.
• According to the SIPRI report, HAL increased its arms revenue to USD 3.71 billion in 2023, up
6.9% from USD 3.47 billion in 2022.

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 • SIPRI reported that there was a 4.2% rise in FY23 arms revenues for the Top 100 arms
producers globally earning a total of USD 632 billion (Rs. 53,54,936 crore), due to increased
regional conflicts and rearmament efforts. Click here to read more.

45. In December 2024, the United States of America approved a USD 1.17 billion deal to supply
advanced communication systems, sensors, and logistical support to enhance the Indian Navy’s
(IN) _______________ MH-60R multi-role helicopters.
1) Airbus
2) Sikorsky
3) Dornier
4) Boeing
5) Tiltrotor
Answer- 2) Sikorsky
Explanation:
On December 3 2024, the United States of America (USA) approved a USD 1.17 billion deal under the
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme to supply advanced communication systems, sensors, and
logistical support to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy’s (IN) Sikorsky MH-60R multi-role
helicopters.
• The proposed deal will improve India’s capability to deter current and future threats by
upgrading its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
• These USA made helicopters are replacing the ageing fleet of Sea King choppers, which served
the IN for over 3 decades.
• In February 2020, during Donald Trump’s presidency, India and the USA signed defence deals
worth over USD 3 billion for 24 MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Role Helicopters for the Indian Navy
and six AH-64E attack helicopters for the Indian Army.
• The MH-60R is a 4th generation helicopter designed for anti-submarine and surface combat
missions, featuring Mk 54 torpedoes for targeting hidden submarines, and Hellfire missiles for
air-to-surface strikes.
• MH-60R Seahawk emerged as a major force multiplier for the Indian Navy amidst the growing
challenges from China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

46. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s
“Economic Outlook December 2024” released in December 2024, India’s growth forecast by 20
basis points (bps) to ______ in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
1) 6.4%
2) 6.5%
3) 6.6%
4) 6.7%
5) 6.8%
Answer- 5) 6.8%
Explanation:
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s “Economic
Outlook December 2024” released on 4th December 2024. It has raised India’s growth forecast by
20 basis points (bps) to 6.8% in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), from its previous estimate of 6.6%
made in May 2024.

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 • It has cited this projection is based on rapidly increasing public infrastructure spending and
ongoing strong private consumption growth.
• It has also revised India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) projection from 6.8% (projected
in September 2024 economic outlook) to 6.9% for FY26.
• OECD’s report has raised India’s headline inflation from 4.5% (predicted in September 2024)
to 4.8% in FY25.
• The economic outlook has estimated that India’s general government deficit, including states,
will fall below 8% of the GDP, supported by additional revenues from efforts to widen the tax
base.
• It has retained the Global GDP forecast to 3.2% in 2024 but has increased its global growth
projection for both 2025 and 2026 by 10 bps, from 3.2% (in September 2024) to 3.3%.
• The report has projected that annual consumer price inflation in the Group-20 (G20) countries
will moderate to 3.5% and 2.9% in 2025 and 2026 respectively, from 5.4% in 2024.

47. Rumana Sinha Sehgal, a mentor at Hyderabad (Telangana)-based T-Hub and Akshay
Deshpande, the associated startup founders of Switcheko have been recently (in November
‘24) honoured with the Karmaveer Chakra Awards for 2024-25.
Which organisation instituted the Karmaveer Chakra awards along with Indian Confederation
of NGOs (iCongo)?
1) United Nations
2) United Nations Human Rights Council
3) United Nations Development Programme
4) United Nations Peacebuilding Commission
5) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
Answer- 1) United Nations
Explanation:
Rumana Sinha Sehgal, a mentor at Hyderabad (Telangana)-based T-Hub, Akshay Deshpande, the
associated startup founders of Switcheko and Abhishek Agarwal, the founder of Goodeebag, have
been honoured with the Karmaveer Chakra Awards for 2024-25.
• These awards were given during the 13th edition of REX ConcLIVE which was held from 25th
November-26th November, 2024 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Karmaveer Chakra awards were instituted by the Indian Confederation of NGOs (iCongo) in
collaboration with the United Nations (UN) in 2008-09.
• These awards recognise those individuals who have brought positive societal change through
their work and innovative solutions.
• Rumana Sinha Sehgal who is also the founder of Serendipity, has become the 1st
entrepreneur from Telangana to be honored with the Karmaveer Chakra Platinum Medal
2024-25.
• Dr. V.V. Majula Kumari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Varanaa’s Healthcare has been
honoured with REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship and the Karmaveer Chakra Gold Medal
Award for 2024-25.

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48. Which bank has recently (in November ‘24) appointed Indian Chess Prodigy D Gukesh as its
Brand Ambassador?
1) Bandhan Bank Limited
2) Federal Bank Limited
3) RBL Bank Limited
4) IndusInd Bank Limited
5) Karur Vysya Bank Limited
Answer- 3) RBL Bank Limited
Explanation:
In November 2024, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based RBL Bank Limited, formerly known as Ratnakar
Bank Limited, appointed Indian Chess Prodigy D Gukesh as its Brand Ambassador.
• Gukesh Dommaraju is the youngest-ever contender to compete for the World Chess
Championship and the 3rd youngest grandmaster to achieve a rating of 2700.
• His partnership with RBL Bank reflects the bank’s commitment to strategic thinking and
foresight qualities that align perfectly with Gukesh’s journey.

49. Who has recently (in December ‘24) won the Formula 1 (F1) Qatar Grand Prix 2024 held in
Lusail, Qatar?
1) Charles Leclerc
2) Oscar Piastri
3) George Russell
4) Max Verstappen
5) Pierre Gasly
Answer- 4) Max Verstappen
Explanation:
On December 1 2024, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) won the Formula 1 (F1) Qatar
Grand Prix 2024 which was held at the Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar.
• This was his 9th win of the season and 63rd of his career.
• Monégasque racing driver Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) secured the 2nd spot (18 points) for
Ferrari and Australia’s Oscar Piastri (McLaren) (15 points) claimed the 3rd spot.
• Max Verstappen won his first F1 World Championship title in 2021 after winning 10 Grands
Prix (GP) during the 2021 season.
• He won the next two championships in 2022 and 2023 and secured his 4th consecutive title in
2024 after winning 9 Grand Prix.

50. When is the United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Banks annually observed across the
globe?
1) August 9
2) September 16
3) October 26
4) December 4
5) November 30
Answer- 4) December 4

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Explanation:
The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Banks is annually observed across the globe on
December 4 to recognize the crucial role of banking systems in enhancing living standards and
fostering sustainable development across member nations.
• The first ever International Day of Banks was observed on 4th December 2020.
• The Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) is a comprehensive global framework aimed at
financing sustainable development.
• The UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), introduced in 2019, work in partnership
with the banking community to drive a positive global transformation for the benefit of people
and the planet.
• The economic growth and development of India have been significantly influenced by banks,
particularly when the Government of India (GoI) nationalized around 20 major private banks
between 1969 and 1991, in two phases—1969 and 1980—and introduced priority sector
lending (PSL) in 1972.
• Since 2014, the banking sector has embraced the Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile (JAM) trinity,
granted licenses to Payment Banks and Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and introduced digital
payment systems.

STATIC GK

51. Name the Britain’s former Deputy Prime Minister passed away in November 2024.
1) Alex Salmond
2) John Prescott
3) Harold Macmillan
4) Margaret Thatcher
5) Leonard James Callaghan
Answer- 2) John Prescott
Explanation:
On 21st November 2024, John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister to Britain’s Tony Blair
during his 10 years in government, died at the age of 86. He was born in Wales in 1938.
• Prescott, who served under Blair from 1997 to 2007, was known as a plain-speaking politician
who bridged the divide between the traditional left-wing and the modernisers in the Labour
Party.

52. Which state government has recently (in November ‘24) decided to provide a 100%
exemption from road tax and registration fee on purchase of electric vehicles?
1) Kerala
2) Jharkhand
3) Telangana
4) Maharashtra
5) Tamil Nadu
Answer- 3) Telangana

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Explanation:
Telangana government announced providing 100% exemption from road tax and registration
fees for electric vehicles (EV) purchased and registered in the state for the initial period of two years
up to December 31, 2026.
• Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said under the Government Order (GO) 41, the new EV
policy will come into place from 18th November 2024. This is aimed at making Hyderabad
pollution-free.

53. Which Indian City has recently (in November ‘24) inaugurated the world's first all-women
bus depot ‘Sakhi Depot’?
1) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2) Pune, Maharashtra
3) Hyderabad, Telangana
4) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
5) New Delhi, Delhi
Answer- 5) New Delhi, Delhi
Explanation:
On 16th November 2024, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot inaugurated the world's first all-
women bus depot 'Sakhi Depot' in Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi. This initiative features an entirely
female workforce, including drivers, conductors, and other staff.
• It is part of a broader vision to create a more inclusive and gender-equal work environment.
• The Sakhi Depot employs 223 women, comprising 89 drivers and 134 conductors, operating a
fleet of 70 buses, including 40 air-conditioned and 30 non-air-conditioned buses, that serve 17
routes across Delhi.

54. Which bank has recently (in November ‘24) raised Rs 10,000 crore at a coupon rate of
7.23% through its seventh infrastructure bond issuance?
1) Axis Bank
2) Canara Bank
3) Bank of Baroda
4) Union Bank of India
5) State Bank of India
Answer- 5) State Bank of India
Explanation:
State Bank of India (SBI) has raised Rs 10,000 crore at a coupon rate of 7.23% through its seventh
infrastructure bond issuance, payable annually for a tenor of 15 years, according to an exchange filing.
• The issue attracted overwhelming response from investors, with bids in excess of Rs 11,500
crore, and was oversubscribed in excess of 2 times against the base issue size of Rs 5,000 crore.
• The total number of bids received was 85 indicating wider participation with heterogeneity of
bids.

55. Which platform has recently (in November ‘24) partnered with Urban Company to
empower women salon and beauty parlour owners?
1) Mahila e-Haat
2) Stand-Up India

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3) Self Employed Women’s Association
4) Women Entrepreneurship Platform
5) National Small Industries Corporation
Answer- 4) Women Entrepreneurship Platform
Explanation:
Niti Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) has partnered with Urban Company to
empower women salon and beauty parlour owners.
• WEP, under its award-to-reward initiative, launched the pilot to support women MSMEs to
scale up their businesses in the beauty and wellness sector.
• Women entrepreneurs will be offered training across six key ecosystem needs, including
skilling, legal and compliance, access to finance, market, and business development services,
along with mentorship and networking.

56. Which organisation has recently (in November ‘24) signed an MoU with the Research
Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) to advance quality and consistency of
diabetes care in India?
1) National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies
2) National Board for Quality Promotion
3) International Standard for Quality Management Systems
4) National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
5) National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
Answer- 4) National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
Explanation:
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent body
of Quality Council of India (QCI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Research
Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) to advance quality and consistency of diabetes care
in India through the use of robust clinical and digital health standards.
• The MoU will leverage the distinctive capabilities of NABH to drive national quality
certification and accreditation programs and RSSDI’s expertise in developing best practice
clinical guidelines for diabetes management and research.
• It will also focus on integrating modern technology and ensuring better management of
diabetes through standardized treatment protocols.

57. Which state hockey team has recently (in November ‘24) won the 14th Hockey India Senior
Men National Championship 2024?
1) Odisha
2) Haryana
3) Manipur
4) Jharkhand
5) Uttar Pradesh
Answer- 1) Odisha
Explanation:
On 16th November 2024, Odisha won the 14th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship
2024 in its first-ever final appearance by defeating two-time champion Haryana 5-1 in Chennai, Tamil
Nadu.

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 • Odisha’s gold medal win added a new chapter to its hockey legacy, but for coach Bijay Kumar
Lakra’s young team, its significance extends far beyond the sports field.

58. Which company has recently (in November ‘24) signed an agreement with the Transport
Department of the Government of West Bengal worth Rs 226.18 crore?
1) Cochin Shipyard Limited
2) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
3) Goa Shipyard Limited
4) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
5) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited
Answer- 5) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited
Explanation:
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) signed a contract worth approximately Rs
226.18 crore (excluding GST) with the Transport Department of the Government of West Bengal.
• The agreement involves the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of 13 hybrid
electric ferries under the West Bengal Inland Water Transport, Logistics and Spatial
Development Project (WBIWTLSDP).
• These vessels will have a catamaran hull design and be built with aluminium and Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (FRP).

59. Where was the inaugural session of the Global Soil Conference 2024 held in November
2024?
1) Gurugram, Haryana
2) New Delhi, Delhi
3) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
4) Mumbai, Maharashtra
5) Hyderabad, Telangana
Answer- 2) New Delhi, Delhi
Explanation:
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan
addressed the inaugural session of the Global Soil Conference 2024 in PUSA, New Delhi.
• The theme of this conference is “Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate change mitigation
& Ecosystem Services”.
• He highlighted the government’s proactive efforts to integrate soil health management into
broader climate action policies, underscoring soil’s role in mitigating climate change and
supporting ecosystem services.

60. Who has recently (in November ‘24) chosen as the U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO)?
1) Deb Haaland
2) Matt Whitaker
3) Pam Bondi
4) Merrick Garland
5) Janet Wood Reno

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Answer- 2) Matt Whitaker
Explanation:
President-elect Donald Trump says he has chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to
serve as U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the bedrock Western
alliance that the president-elect has expressed skepticism about for years.
• Whitaker is a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between
November 2018 and February 2019.

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 Current Affairs Top 60 Q&A PDF – December 2024 2nd Week
(10 - 16)
1. H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, paid a visit to
India from 3 to 4 December 2024
During the visit, India and Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish
a __________________________.
1) Strategic Partnership Council
2) Cultural Exchange Program
3) Defense Cooperation Company
4) Investment and Energy Cooperation
5) Joint Commission for Cooperation
Answer- 5) Joint Commission for Cooperation
Explanation:
H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, arrived in New
Delhi(Delhi) paid a visit to India from December 3 to December 4, 2024 at the invitation of Union
Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• This marked his first official trip to India in this capacity, highlighting the strong and evolving
ties between the two nations.
• A key highlight of H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Yahya’s visit to India was the bilateral meeting with
External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House, New Delhi (Delhi).
• During the meeting, the leaders conducted a comprehensive review of India-Kuwait
relations, focusing on several critical areas: Political and trade ties, Investment and energy
cooperation, Food security and Cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
• One of the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
• The JCC aims to streamline collaboration and ensure regular monitoring of bilateral
engagements across diverse fields.
• Under the JCC framework, New Joint Working Groups will be set up in sectors like trade,
investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture.

2. As per NITI Aayog’s recent (in December ‘24) report “Trade Watch Quarterly: April-June
(Q1) Y25”, India’s total trade performance for the 1st Half (H1) of 2024 reached
__________________ with Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth of 5.45% compared to 2023.
1) USD 369 billion
2) USD 421 billion
3) USD 576 billion
4) USD 617 billion
5) USD 753 billion
Answer- 3) USD 576 billion
Explanation:
On 4th December 2024, Suman Bery, the Vice Chairperson of National Institution for Transforming
India (NITI Aayog) launched NITI Aayog’s latest report titled “Trade Watch Quarterly: April-June

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(Q1) Y25” in New Delhi, Delhi. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s trade
for the Q1 of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
• The report provides a holistic snapshot of India’s trade position, combining global demand-
supply perspectives, sector-wise performance, and insights into emerging trade opportunities.
• As per the report, India’s total trade performance for the 1st Half (H1) of 2024 reached USD
576 billion with Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth of 5.45% compared to 2023.
• The report highlighted that merchandise exports showed consistent growth as exports has
increased by 5.95% to USD 110 billion in Q1FY25.In Q1 FY25, the leading sectors were mineral
fuels (19.96%), electrical machinery and equipment (8.68%), and nuclear reactors (7.30%).
• The report outlined that India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) reached to USD 9.7 billion in
Q1FY25, representing 1.1% of country’s GDP, from USD 8.9 billion (1% of GDP) in the same
quarter of FY24.
• India’s export of iron and steel saw a massive decline of 33% in Q1FY25 mainly due to weak
domestic demand and excess capacity in China which resulted in an oversupply of steel in
global markets.
• The report showed that India’s Trade Intensity Index (TII) score was greater than 1 with 84
countries, which represented 38.82% of global GDP and 67% of its total exports in 2023. Click
here to read more.

3. Which bank has recently (in November ‘24) released the report International Debt Report
(IDR) 2024 stating that India’s total external debt has increased by USD 31 billion to USD
646.79 billion in 2023.?
1) World Bank
2) Asian Development Bank
3) Reserve Bank of India
4) New Development Bank
5) European Investment Bank
Answer- 1) World Bank
Explanation:
According to the World Bank’s latest International Debt Report (IDR) 2024, India’s total external
debt has increased by USD 31 billion to USD 646.79 billion in 2023.The report revealed that interest
payment increased from USD 15.08 billion (in 2022) to USD 22.54 billion (in 2023).
• As per the report, the total external debt owed by all Low-and-Middle-Income Countries
(LMICs) reached a record USD 8.8 trillion, which marks an increase of 8% over 2020.
• While, the debt for the International Development Association (IDA)-eligible nations touched
to USD 1.1 trillion, an increase of approximately 18%.
• As per the report, the long-term debt stocks have increased by 7% to USD 498 billion in 2023,
while short-term debt stocks decreased marginally to USD 126.32 billion in 2023.
• The report showed that external debt stock as percentage of exports was 80%, while debt
servicing 10% exports in 2023.
• The report further revealed that net debt inflows was USD 33.42 billion, while the net equity
inflows was higher at USD 46.94 billion in 2023.
• On 3rd December 2024, the World Bank approved a USD 188.28 million loan to Maharashtra
in order to boost its economy, particularly in underdeveloped districts of the state.

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 • As per this loan arrangement, Maha Databank, a data governance framework will be created
to address development challenges, including gender disparities. Click here to read more.

4. Which bank has recently (in December ‘24) introduced the ‘ARISE Women’s Savings
Account’, a specialized solution to empower women financially?
1) RBL Bank Limited
2) Axis Bank Limited
3) Federal Bank Limited
4) HDFC Bank Limited
5) ICICI Bank Limited
Answer- 2) Axis Bank Limited
Explanation:
On December 5 2024, Axis Bank Limited, one of India’s leading private sector banks, introduced the
‘ARISE Women’s Savings Account’, a specialized solution aimed at empowering women financially.
• It was launched by Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Salesforce India Private Limited in the presence of Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing
Director (MD) & CEO, Axis Bank and Munish Sharda, Executive Director of Axis Bank.
• This account provides an array of exclusive benefits, including access to women specific
financial experts, personalized investment options, healthcare discounts, and much more.
• Extend benefits to family members, with the option to link children’s accounts without
initial funding.
• Account holders also receive the ARISE Debit Card offering higher transaction limits with
Rs.5 lakhs on Point of sale (POS) and Rs.1 lakh at Automated Teller Machine (ATM). It also
provides rewards as well as a Complimentary Non Equity Option (NEO) Credit Card with
discounts on services like BookMyShow and Zomato.
• Healthcare benefits are comprehensive with discounts of up to 70% on diagnostic tests,
unlimited consultations with top hospital experts and access to wellness programs.

5. India was recently (in December ‘24) honored with the ISSA _______________ Award for Asia and
Pacific 2024 award in the Regional Social Security Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
1) Good Practice
2) Excellence in Social Security
3) Global Fintech
4) Global Prestige
5) Leadership in Social Welfare
Answer- 1) Good Practice
Explanation:
On December 3 2024, India was honored with the prestigious International Social Security
Association (ISSA) Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024. The award was presented by
Dr. Mohammed Azman, President of ISSA during the Regional Social Security Forum held from
December 3 to 5, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and
Employment (MoL&E) has received 5 Certificates of Merit (CoM) for its innovative and
inclusive social security initiatives and Special Mention for its Digital Life Certificate (Jeevan
Pramaan Patra).

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 • EPFO has adopted the ISSA Guidelines on Communication by Social Security Administrations
by developing a comprehensive Communication Framework Document (CFD).
• EPFO has introduced E-proceedings to digitize judicial inquiries to ensure regular compliance,
which is a crucial aspect of a contributory social security system.
• EPFO received a Special Mention for Digital Life Certificate or Jeevan Pramaan Patra, is an
additional facility which enables the pensioners to file their Life Certificates through a
biometric authentication system that is Aadhaar-based. Click here to read more.

6. Who has been recently (in December ‘24) awarded the Turner Prize 2024 for the thought-
provoking exhibition, Alter Altar?
1) Pio Abad
2) Jasleen Kaur
3) Claudette Johnson
4) Delaine Le Bas
5) Vibha Pankaj
Answer- 2) Jasleen Kaur
Explanation:
Indian-origin Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for
her thought-provoking exhibition, Alter Altar. Actor James Norton presented the award along with a
prize of Great Britain Pound(GBP) 25,000 (approximately Rs 26.84 lakh) to Jasleen Kaur at the
ceremony took place at Tate Britain in London, United Kingdom (UK).
• The other artists who were shortlisted alongside Jasleen Kaur includes Pio Abad, Claudette
Johnson, and Delaine Le Bas.
• Jasleen Kaur’s exhibition is on display at Tate Britain until February 2025, alongside other
shortlisted artists.
• The Turner Prize, named after the artist J.M.W. Turner, has celebrated innovative British artists
since 1984.
• Jasleen Kaur’s ‘Alter Altar Exhibition’ reflects themes of identity, migration, and cultural
inheritance, drawing inspiration from her family’s journey as migrants to Scotland.
• Key highlights of the exhibition include a striking 1980s bright red Ford Escort, draped with a
giant crocheted doily. This centerpiece plays a fragmented soundtrack of Yearnings 2023, with
Kaur’s voice singing to a mechanical harmonium, blending music and memory. Click here to
read more.

7. In December 2024, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as ________ Chief Minister (CM) of
Maharashtra; ____________________ and Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM.
1) 21st, Eknath Shinde
2) 20th, Rahul Narwekar
3) 19th, Nana Patole
4) 18th, Ajay Choudhari
5) 17th, Vijay Wadettiwar
Answer- 1) 21st, Eknath Shinde
Explanation:
On December 5 2024, Devendra Fadnavis, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as
21st Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, marking his 3rd term following the Mahayuti alliance’s

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victory. The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti coalition has a majority of 230 seats in the 288-members in
the Maharashtra Assembly election held in November 2024.
• Maharashtra’s Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office at a grand
ceremony held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also took
their oaths as Deputy CM of Maharashtra.
• He was first elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1999. He was selected as the
CM of Maharashtra for the first time in 2014 and remained till 2019.
• He served as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra, alongside Ajit Pawar in the Eknath Shinde
government.

8. In December 2024, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the European Space
Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission in Andhra Pradesh(AP).
The Proba-3 mission consists of two satellites – ___________________ and _____________.
1) Light Blocker and Observer
2) Coronagraph and Occulter
3) Large Yield Radiometer and Langmuir probe
4) Eclipse Observer and Sun Tracker
5) Sun Watcher and Image Processor
Answer- 2) Coronagraph and Occulter
Explanation:
On December 5 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the
European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission from the First Launch Pad (FLP), Satish Dhawan
Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh(AP) using the highly reliable Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV)-XL rocket. This was the world’s first precision formation-flying mission.
• This mission aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s corona, the outer layer of its
atmosphere, and marks a significant collaboration between the ISRO and the ESA.
• Proba-3’s launch marks the first ESA mission to fly with an ISRO launcher since the Proba-1
mission in 2001 and is expected to operate for two years.
• Proba-3 is a technology demonstration mission funded under ESA’s General Support
Technology Programme. It is designed to show precise formation flying, and its launch was
facilitated by NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.
• The Proba-3 mission consists of two satellites – Coronagraph (310 kilogram(kg)) and
Occulter (240 kg) which are designed to study the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of its
atmosphere by creating artificial solar eclipses in space.
• These twin satellites will function in a precise formation, maintaining a distance of 150m apart
while flying together.
• This unique arrangement allows the Occulter to block out the Sun’s bright disk, which will
enable the Coronagraph to observe the faint corona in more detail.
• During active formation flying, the Coronagraph will act as the leader, equipped with a
hydrazine propulsion system while the Occulter spacecraft will follow, using cold gas
thrusters to maintain its position.

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9. Who has recently (in November ‘24) won the women’s and men’s singles titles in Syed Modi
India International Super 300 tournament in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP)?
1) Wu Luo Yu and Jia Heng Jason Teh
2) P.V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen
3) Tanisha Crasto and Huang Di
4) Gayatri Gopichand and Dhruv Kapila
5) Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran
Answer- 2) P.V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen
Explanation:
Indian shuttlers Pusarla Venkata (P.V) Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won the women’s and men’s
singles titles, respectively, at the Syed Modi India International Super 300 tournament held from
26th November 2024 to 1st December 2024 at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• P.V Sindhu defeated the world number 119 Wu Luo Yu of the People’s Republic of China to win
the Women’s Singles finals 21-14, 21-16.
• Lakshya Sen defeated Jia Heng Jason Teh of Singapore to win the Men’s Singles finals 21-6,
21-7.
• Commonwealth Games bronze medal-winners Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly defeated
China’s Bao Li Jing and Li Qian in the women’s double final to secure their 2nd BWF World
Tour title.
• P.V Sindhu has won a total of 5 medals at the BWF World Championships (2013, 2014,
2017.2018 and 2019) in which she has won a gold medal at 2019 BWF World Championship at
Basel, Switzerland.
• In 2024 she secured a gold medal in the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championship in Malaysia
and also won a silver medal in the Malaysia Masters 2024.
• Lakshya Sen is a former World Junior No. 1 badminton player.
• He has won a gold medal in the 2022 CWG in Birmingham, England and in 2018 Asia Junior
Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• He also secured a gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games mixed team’s event in Buenos
Aires, Argentina.
• At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Lakshya Sen became the first Indian to reach the men’s singles
semi-finals at the Summer Games. Click here to read more.

10. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the approval of the Union
Cabinet and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on 6th December 2024?
A) Union Cabinet has approved the 26.463 kilometer (km) long Rithala-Narela-Nathupur
(Kundli) corridor of the Delhi Metro’s Phase-IV project, to improve connectivity between Delhi
and Uttar Pradesh.
B) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the establishment of 28 new
Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) in the uncovered districts of the country under the Navodaya
Vidyalaya Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme (CSS).
C) CCEA has approved the setting up of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under the
civil/defence sector across the country and expansion of existing KV Shivamogga located at
Shivamogga district in Karnataka.

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D) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved the release of Rs 944.80
crore to the state government of Tamil Nadu (TN) as share of central government from the
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to help the people affected by cyclone “Fengal” on 30th
November 2024.
1) Only A, B C
2) Only A, C & D
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & D
5) All A, B, C & D
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, the Union Cabinet and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India has approved:
• The Union Cabinet has approved the 26.463 kilometer (km) long Rithala-Narela-Nathupur
(Kundli) corridor of the Delhi Metro’s Phase-IV project, to improve connectivity between the
national capital, Delhi and its neighbouring state, Haryana.
• The estimated cost of the entire project is Rs 6,230 crore and is expected to be completed in 4
years from the date of its approval.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the establishment of 28 new
Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) in the uncovered districts of the country under the Navodaya
Vidyalaya Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme (CSS).
• The total estimated cost required for the setting up of these NVs is Rs 2,359.82 crore spread
over a period of 5 years from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
• The CCEA has approved the setting up of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under the
civil/defence sector across the country and expansion of existing KV Shivamogga located at
Shivamogga district in Karnataka to provide increased number of central government
employees by adding two new sections in all the classes under Kendriya Vidyalaya Scheme,
CSS.
• The total estimated cost required for the setting up of these new KVs and expansion of 1
existing nearby KV is nearly Rs 5872.08 crore spread over a period of 8 years from 2025-26.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the release of Rs 944.80 crore to the state
government of Tamil Nadu (TN) as share of central government from the State Disaster
Response Fund (SDRF) to help the people affected by cyclone “Fengal” on 30th November
2024. Click here to read more.

11. In December 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the Ministry of Defence
(MoD), granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for five critical defence acquisition proposals
worth over ___________________.
1) Rs 19,146 crore
2) Rs 19,628 crore
3) Rs 20,933 crore
4) Rs 21,772 crore
5) Rs 21,584 crore
Answer- 4) Rs 21,772 crore

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Explanation:
On 3 December 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Union
Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for five
critical defence acquisition proposals worth over Rs 21,772 crore.
• These projects aim to enhance India’s maritime security, coastal defense, and combat readiness
through advanced technological assets.
• The DAC approved the procurement of 31 New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs) for the
Indian Navy (IN).
• The procurement of 120 Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC-1) was also approved by the DAC to
bolster coastal defense and provide escort services for high-value naval units, including aircraft
carriers, destroyers, and submarines.
• The procurement of 6 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was
also approved by the DAC to enhance coastal security and improve surveillance in maritime
regions.
• The modernization of T-72 and T-90 tanks, BMP infantry combat vehicles, and Sukhoi fighter
aircraft engines was also approved to extend their service life and improve the operational
efficiency of these critical defense systems.

12. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has recently (in December ‘24) launched 2 pivotal initiatives
‘Anna Chakra’ and the ‘SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for National Food Security Act (NFSA)
portal’ in New Delhi, Delhi.
Which organisation has developed the Anna Chakra portal in collaboration with the Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Foundation for Innovation and Technology
Transfer (FITT), Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi?
1) World Food Programme
2) Food Corporation of India
3) United Nations Environment Programme
4) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
5) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Answer- 1) World Food Programme
Explanation:
On December 5 2024, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution (MoCAF&PD) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE), launched 2 pivotal
initiatives ‘Anna Chakra’, a Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain optimization tool and the
‘SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for National Food Security Act (NFSA) portal’ in New Delhi(Delhi).
• These initiatives, led by the Department of Food Public Distribution (DFPD) under the
MoCAF&PD, are set to modernize the PDS and streamline subsidy claims, marking a significant
milestone in India’s food security framework.
• ‘Anna Chakra’ is designed to optimize the logistics network of the PDS, a system that serves as
the backbone for providing food security to over 81 crore beneficiaries.
• It was developed by the MoCAF&PD in collaboration with the World Food Programme
(WFP) and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), Indian Institutes of
Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi(Delhi) in which the tool employs advanced algorithms to
identify the most efficient routes for the movement of food grains across various supply chain
nodes.

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 • The SCAN portal is a single window platform that simplifies the process of subsidy claim
submission, scrutiny and approval of subsidy claims under the National Food Security Act
(NFSA) 2013.
• This portal automates the end-to-end workflow, ensuring timely disbursement and minimizing
delays in subsidy release.

13. In December 2024, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) officially recognized the traditional Japanese Sake-Making process as
___________________ of Humanity, honoring a brewing practice that spans over a thousand years.
1) Intangible Cultural Heritage
2) Tangible Cultural Heritage
3) Digital Heritage
4) Natural Heritage
5) Tangible Immovable Heritage
Answer- 1) Intangible Cultural Heritage
Explanation:
On December 4 2024, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
officially recognized the traditional Japanese Sake-Making process as an Intangible Cultural Heritage
(ICH) of Humanity, honoring a brewing practice that spans over a thousand years.
• The decision was made at a UNESCO meeting in Luque, Paraguay, where the organization also
recognized 45 other cultural practices and products from around the world, such as Brazilian
white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread, and Palestinian olive oil soap.
• This recognition is seen as an important step in revitalizing Sake’s popularity, both in Japan
and globally, while also strengthening Japan’s cultural identity and export economy.
• Japanese officials are working to revitalize Sake’s reputation, aiming to position it as the
country’s leading alcoholic beverage once again.
• Sake brewing is a meticulous craft, brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses through
a simple yet intricate process. The primary ingredients, Japanese rice, water, yeast, and koji (a
rice mold), are combined and transformed through a detailed, two-month-long process.
• To be classified as true Japanese Sake, the rice used must be grown in Japan. This
requirement ensures the authenticity of the drink and highlights its deep connection to Japan’s
agricultural traditions.

14. In November 2024, Under Section (11) of the SEBI Act, 1992, the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI) released a circular, granting the SEBI to protect investor interests,
regulate the securities market, and promote its development.
The interoperability for cash, derivatives, and interest rate derivatives will come into effect
from _______________.
1) January 1, 2025
2) March 1, 2025
3) April 1, 2025
4) June 1, 2025
5) August 1, 2025
Answer- 3) April 1, 2025

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Explanation:
In November 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular under Section
(11) of the SEBI Act, 1992, which empowers the SEBI to protect investor interests, regulate the
securities market, and promote its development.
• Through this circular, SEBI has outlined a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for
interoperability of stock exchanges and clearing corporations to address the issue of trading
outages or glitches.
• The interoperability for cash, derivatives, and interest rate derivatives will come into effect
from April 1, 2025.
• SEBI has mandated the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to
act as a backup to each other, in case of any trading outage.
• Both the stock exchanges are required to submit the aforesaid SOP to SEBI within 60 days
from the date of the circular.
• In case of an outage, the affected exchanges are required to inform SEBI within 75 minutes of
the occurrence and invoke BCP. The alternative trading venue will implement a continuity plan
within 15 minutes of such intimation.
• The stock exchange which does not have a highly correlated index derivatives product
available on the other, then the exchange may create such an index and introduce derivatives
contracts on the same. Click here to read more.

15. Which bank has recently (in November ‘24) approved a USD 350 million Policy Based Loan
(PBL) to aid the Government of India (GoI) in strengthening and modernizing the country’s
logistics sector?
1) World Bank
2) Asian Development Bank
3) European Investment Bank
4) New Development Bank
5) Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Answer- 2) Asian Development Bank
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 350 million Policy Based
Loan (PBL) to aid the Government of India (GoI) in strengthening and modernizing the country’s
logistics sector.
• This funding supports the 2nd subprogram of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated
Logistics Ecosystem Program (SMILE) which is aimed at enhancing India’s economic
competitiveness.
• It builds on the reforms of the first subprogram which focused on institutionalizing policies
for better interagency coordination and standardizing processes to attract private sector
investment.
• The GoI has launched strategic policies including the Prime Minister Gati Shakti-National
Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) and the National Logistics Policy (NLP).
• This initiative focuses on creating a comprehensive policy, planning and institutional
framework at the federal, state and city levels to improve logistics.

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 • The transformation was expected to reduce logistics costs, increase efficiency, create job
opportunities and promote gender inclusion, all of which will contribute to sustainable
economic growth.
• With India’s export growth increasing significantly from USD 48.5 billion in 2000 to USD 467.5
billion in 2022, the government’s aim is to reach USD 2 trillion in goods and services exports
by 2030.

16. Who has been recently (in December ‘24) appointed as the 26th Governor of the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) replacing Shaktikanta Das and his tenure starts on December 11, 2024 for
a period of 3 years?
1) Challa Sreenivasulu Setty
2) Dinesh Kumar Khara
3) Raghuram Rajan
4) Vikash Sharma
5) Sanjay Malhotra
Answer- 5) Sanjay Malhotra
Explanation:
On December 09 2024, the Government of India (GoI) appointed Sanjay Malhotra, Revenue
Secretary, Ministry of Finance (MoF) as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He
replaced Shaktikanta Das (2nd longest serving RBI Governor) and became the 26th Governor of
RBI.
• The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and was
notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievance and Pension (MoP) .
• His tenure starts on December 11, 2024 for a period of 3 years.
• He is a former Secretary in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and was widely
recognized for his leadership in steering the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)’s
landmark Rs 21,000 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO) and advancing significant public sector
banking reforms.
• His tenure as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power (MoP) led efforts on the Rs 3 lakh
crore power distribution reforms.
• Roles and Responsibilities of the RBI Governor: The Governor is responsible for
formulating and implementing monetary policies aimed at controlling inflation and promoting
economic growth to ensure monetary stability.
• The Governor manages the issuance of licenses for new foreign and private banks, thereby
regulating the banking sector in India.
• The Governor is responsible for the circulation, issuance, and withdrawal of currency notes,
ensuring a stable currency supply.

17. Which defence company has recently (in December ‘24) delivered its second Drishti-10
Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy (IN) at the Porbandar base in Gujarat?
1) Airbus Defence and Space
2) Kadet Defence Systems Limited
3) Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace
4) Adani Aerospace and Defence Limited

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5) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Answer- 4) Adani Aerospace and Defence Limited
Explanation:
Adani Aerospace and Defence Limited, defence subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited(AEL),
delivered its second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy(IN) at the
Porbandar base in Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense capabilities.
• The Drishti-10, a variant of Israel’s Hermes 900 medium altitude long endurance Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) enhances the country’s maritime monitoring efforts especially in
combating piracy and safeguarding strategic sea routes.
• In January 2024, the IN received the first Drishti-10 Starliner drone. These drones will
monitor the western border marking progress in India’s unmanned defense technology.
• The Drishti-10 Starliner, was manufactured at Adani Defence and Aerospace’s Hyderabad
facility, is a cutting edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.
• It is India’s only indigenous UAV that can operate reliably above 32,000 feet with a large
payload carrying capacity and distinctively long endurance.
• The drone’s advanced capabilities include fully autonomous functions and satellite
communication (Satcom) based operations which support the IN in monitoring and
securing critical sea lanes.
• The Drishti-10 also marks a historic first with India now possessing the capability to
integrate advanced payloads on a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform.

18. Which of the following points is/are ‘not correct’ with respect to the 55th edition of the
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held from 20th to 28th November 2024 in Panaji,
Goa?
A) The theme of IFFI 2024, “Young Filmmakers – The Future is Now,” reflecting the importance
of youth in shaping the future of cinema.
B) Lithuanian film ‘Toxic’ bags the most prestigious award of IFFI, the Golden Peacock for Best
Feature Film. Toxic is the debut feature of the Lithuanian director and screenwriter Saulė
Bliuvaitė.
C) Renowned Australian director Levan Akin was awarded with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime
Achievement Award for his excellence in Cinema.
D) Navjyot Bandiwadekar has won the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award for
his Marathi film ‘Gharat Ganpati’ at the IFFI 2024.
E) Silver Peacock Awards for Best Director won by Sarah Friedland for ‘Familiar Touch’, Best
Actor (Male) Clément Faveau for ‘Holy Cow’ and Best Actress Vesta Matulytė and Ieva
Rupeikaitė for ‘Toxic’.
1) Only A, B & C
2) Only A, C & D
3) Only C & E
4) Only B & D
5) None of the above
Answer- 3) Only C & E
Explanation:
The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held from 20th November to
28th November 2024 at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Panaji, Goa.

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 • The theme of IFFI 2024, “Young Filmmakers – The Future is Now,” reflects the importance of
youth in shaping the future of cinema.
• Lithuanian film ‘Toxic’ bags the most prestigious award of IFFI, the Golden Peacock for Best
Feature Film. Toxic is the debut feature of the Lithuanian director and screenwriter Saulė
Bliuvaitė.
• Actor Vikrant Massey was conferred the prestigious Indian Film Personality of the Year award
at the IFFI 2024.
• Renowned Australian director Phillip Noyce was awarded with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime
Achievement Award for his excellence in Cinema.
• Swedish filmmaker Levan Akin’s CROSSING won the prestigious ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal.
• Marathi Web Series ‘Lampan’ directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari grabs the Best Web
Series (OTT) Award at IFFI 2024, for its exceptional storytelling, high production values, and
exceptional performances.
• Navjyot Bandiwadekar has won the Best Debut Director of an Indian Feature Film Award for
his Marathi film ‘Gharat Ganpati’ at the IFFI 2024.
• Silver Peacock Awards for Best Director won by Bogdan Muresanu for ‘The New Year That
Never Came’, Best Actor (Male) Clément Faveau for ‘Holy Cow’ and Best Actress Vesta
Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė for ‘Toxic’. Click here to read more.

19. Which Indian Institute of Technology has recently (in December ‘24) completed India’s first
410 meters Hyperloop test track?
1) IIT Madras
2) IIT Delhi
3) IIT Kanpur
4) IIT Patna
5) IIT Bombay
Answer- 1) IIT Madras
Explanation:
On December 5 2024, India’s first Hyperloop test track measuring 410 meters(m) was successfully
completed at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Discovery Campus in Thaiyur, Tamil Nadu
(TN). The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways
(MoR).
• The test track was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Indian Railways (IR),
IIT Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team and the TuTr incubated startup at IIT Madras.
• The first full scale Hyperloop project in India is set to connect Mumbai and Pune
(Maharashtra), reducing travel time between the two cities to just 25 minutes.
• The Hyperloop is an innovative high speed transportation system designed to transport pods,
which carry 24-28 passengers, through low pressure tubes at speeds up to 1,100 kilometre per
hour(km/h).

20. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 29th Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC
COP29)?
A) The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11th to 22nd November 2024.

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B) COP29 adopts new operational standards for the global carbon market under Paris
Agreement Article 6 to enhance international collaboration for reducing carbon emissions.
C) Iran has launched its first carbon credit exchange at the COP 29 on 12th November 2024.
D) The world’s largest multilateral development banks (MDBs) announced an ambitious new
climate finance goal at COP29, pledging to increase funding for low- and middle-income
countries to USD 120 billion annually by 2026.
E) United Arab Emirates (UAE) is developing the world’s first ChatGPT tool for the agricultural
community.
1) Only A, C & D
2) Only A, B & E
3) Only C & E
4) Only B & D
5) All the above
Answer- 2) Only A, B & E
Explanation:
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29) took place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11th to 22nd November
2024. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell inaugurated COP29.
• COP29 adopts new operational standards for the global carbon market under Paris
Agreement Article 6 to enhance international collaboration for reducing carbon emissions.
• Saudi Arabia, has launched its first carbon credit exchange at the COP 29 on 12th November
2024.
• The world’s largest multilateral development banks (MDBs) announced an ambitious new
climate finance goal at COP29, pledging to increase funding for low- and middle-income
countries to USD 120 billion annually by 2030.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched the “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance”
during COP29 with an aim to double global energy efficiency rates by 2030 and contribute to
significant emission reductions.
• UAE is developing the world’s first ChatGPT tool for the agricultural community.
• India and Italy launched a five-year strategic action plan outlining specific initiatives in key
sectors after talks between PM Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
• The 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) will be held from 10th to 21st
November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.Click here to read more.

21. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the highlights of Reserve Bank
of India’s (RBI) 5th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) released in
December 2024?
A) India’s FY25 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast down to 6.4% from the
previous projection of 7.2% for FY25.
B) RBI has reduced the cash reserve ratio (CRR) of all banks by 50 basis points in two equal
tranches of 25 bps each to 4.0% of their deposits.
C) RBI has decided to increase the limit for collateral free agricultural loans from Rs 1.6 lakh
per borrower to Rs 3 lakh per borrower keeping into account the rise in agricultural input
costs and overall inflation.

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D) RBI has proposed to link the (Foreign Exchange) FX-Retail platform with Bharat Connect
platform of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to bring transparency and fairness
in the pricing of foreign exchange for users.
E) RBI has launched an innovative AI model called MuleHunter.ai developed by the Reserve
Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) with an aim to address the growing issues of digital fraud and
tighten its grip on mule accounts.
1) Only A, C & D
2) Only B, D & E
3) Only A & B
4) Only D & E
5) All the above
Answer- 2) Only B, D & E
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy
Committee (MPC) met from 4th December to 6th
December 2024 and released its 5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
The six-member rate-setting panel has revised India’s FY25 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth
forecast down to 6.6% from the previous projection of 7.2% for FY25. The December FY25 meeting
was RBI’s 52nd MPC meeting.
• RBI has projected the real GDP growth for 2024-25 with Q3 at 6.8% and Q4 at 7.2%. Real
GDP growth for Q1:2025-26 is projected at 6.9%; and Q2 at 7.3%.
• The RBI has raised the inflation forecast for FY25 to 4.8% as against 4.5% earlier with Q3 at
5.7% and Q4 at 4.5%.
• The RBI has permitted small finance banks (SFBs) to offer pre-sanctioned credit lines via
the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• RBI has reduced the cash reserve ratio (CRR) of all banks by 50 basis points in two equal
tranches of 25 bps each to 4.0% of their deposits.
• RBI has decided to increase the limit for collateral free agricultural loans from Rs 1.6 lakh per
borrower to Rs 2 lakh per borrower keeping into account the rise in agricultural input costs
and overall inflation.
• RBI has launched an innovative artificial intelligence model called MuleHunter.ai which is
developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) with an aim to address the growing
issues of digital fraud and tighten its grip on mule accounts.
• RBI has proposed to link the (Foreign Exchange) FX-Retail platform with Bharat Connect
platform of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) with the objective of bringing
greater transparency and fairness in the pricing of foreign exchange for users, especially for
individuals and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• RBI has decided to float a new interest rate benchmark – the Secured Overnight Rupee
Rate (SORR) to improve credibility of the index. Click here to read more.

22. Which company has recently (in December ‘24) received a loan of 91 million euros from
Deutsche Bank AG, India?
1) Bharat Financial Inclusion
2) PNB Housing Finance
3) Manappuram Finance

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4) Tata Capital Financial Services
5) SMFG India Credit Company Limited
Answer- 5) SMFG India Credit Company Limited
Explanation:
On December 9 2024, Deutsche Bank AG, India, a fully integrated financial services provider of
Germany based Deutsche Bank AG, announced that it has provided a loan of 91 million euros (about
Rs 813 crore) to SMFG India Credit Company Limited (SMICC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan-
based Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG).
• The loan is compliant with Deutsche Bank’s Sustainable Finance framework criteria.
• This is a sustainability-linked loan facilitated through the Deutsche Bank’s Gujarat
International Financial Tec-City (GIFT City) branch in Gandhinagar(Gujarat) for a period of 3
years.
• plans to channel the funds toward micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and enhance
its impact in rural areas

23. Which among the following is ‘not’ included in the abolition of the Special Additional Excise
Duty (SAED) also known as the Windfall tax by the Government of India in December 2024?
1) Natural Gas
2) Crude Oil
3) Petrol
4) Diesel
5) Aviation Turbine Fuel
Answer- 1) Natural Gas
Explanation:
On 2 December 2024, the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) has notified that
the Government of India (GoI) has withdrawn the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED), commonly
known as the Windfall tax, thereby eliminating levies on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), crude oil,
petrol, and diesel. This move, effective immediately, aims to enhance profitability in the oil sector,
foster growth in the energy industry, and boost exports.
• Alongside, the Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC) on petrol and diesel exports has also been
removed.
• The removal of the tax is expected to benefit major industry stakeholders involved in crude oil
production and refinery exports by enhancing refining margins and easing export restrictions.
• The Windfall Tax was introduced in July 2022 to address extraordinary profits earned by oil
companies during a period of soaring global crude oil prices, triggered by the Russia-Ukraine
conflict.
• The tax was intended to stabilize government revenues during the price surge, applying to
both domestically produced crude oil and the export of refined fuels like petrol, diesel, and
ATF.
• Since its implementation, the windfall tax generated significant revenue, including Rs 25,000
crore in its first year, Rs 13,000 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 6,000 crore in 2024, reflecting its
declining effectiveness due to falling oil prices.
• Global oil prices have stabilized, reducing the excess revenue initially targeted by the tax. Click
here to read more.

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24. Who has recently (in December ‘24) taken over as the 29th President of the Asian Cricket
Council (ACC)?
1) Shammi Silva
2) Zaheer Abbas
3) Roger Binny
4) Jay Shah
5) Devajit Saikia
Answer- 1) Shammi Silva
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, Shammi Silva, the head of Sri Lanka
Cricket (SLC), has taken over as the 29th President of the
Asian Cricket Council (ACC),
• He succeeded India’s Jay Shah, who became the
Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on
December 1 2024.
• Shammi Silva has a rich sporting background. He played cricket for the Colombo Cricket
Club(CCC) during the 1983-84 season, where he also captained the team.
• In May 2023, he was re-elected for the third consecutive term as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)
President.

25. Name the Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) which was recently (in December ‘24) handed
over to Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE).
1) Typhoon
2) ASView
3) Jaldoot
4) Sense
5) Voyager
Answer- 3) Jaldoot
Explanation:
On December 4 2024, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
Limited (GRSE), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) signed a contract for the construction and
delivery of the second vessel in a series of four additional 7,500 DWT Multi-Purpose Vessels
(MPVs) in Hamburg, Germany.
• The contract for the remaining two vessels in this series will be communicated as and when
the respective contracts are signed.
• This development builds on GRSE’s partnership with Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und
Reederei GmbH & Co, KG of Germany, established in June 2024 for MPVs construction and
delivery of MPVs.
• The contract value for the additional four vessels is USD 54 million, taking the total for
eight MPVs to USD 108 million. The project is set to be completed within 33 months from
the contract date.
• GRSE formally handed over the “Jaldoot,” an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), to the Naval
Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).

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 • The Jaldoot project represents a collaborative effort between GRSE, Visakhapatnam based
NSTL, part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Rekise
Marine Private Ltd, a Hyderabad (Telangana) based Indian start-up that contributed to its
design and development.

26. For which mission did the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and European Space
Agency (ESA) sign a crucial Technical Implementation Plan (TIP) to provide critical ground
tracking support?
1) Chandrayaan-3
2) Gaganyaan
3) Aditya L1
4) Mangalyaan
5) Chandrayaan-1
Answer- 2) Gaganyaan
Explanation:
On December 4 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency
(ESA) signed a crucial Technical Implementation Plan (TIP) aimed at providing critical ground
tracking support for India’s Gaganyaan missions (human spaceflight mission).
• This collaborative effort was set to enhance the communication and monitoring of India’s 1st
human spaceflight mission.
• The primary objective of this agreement is to enable ESA to provide ground station support for
the Gaganyaan missions ensuring continuous data flow and communication with the Orbital
Module during its orbital operations.
• The name ‘Gaganyaan’ has its roots in Sanskrit translating to ‘sky and vehicle’ and the primary
objective of this mission is to launch a team of astronauts into space, where they will travel at
an altitude of 400 kilometer(km) above Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a three-day
expedition before returning by landing in the Indian Ocean.
• The launch of the mission is expected to be in 2026.Under the Gaganyaan programme, ISRO
will carry out 3 uncrewed space missions and 1 crewed mission. Click here to read more.

27. Where was the 100-day Tuberculosis (TB) elimination campaign recently (in December
‘24) launched by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare?
1) Assam
2) Tripura
3) Haryana
4) Jharkhand
5) Maharashtra
Answer - 3) Haryana
Explanation:
On 7 December 2024, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoH&FW), launched the intensified 100-day Tuberculosis (TB) elimination campaign to
accelerate the fight against TB in Panchkula, Haryana. The campaign will culminate on March 24,
2025.

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 • During the launch, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda also introduced national guidelines for
the new drug-resistant TB regimen called BPaLM. These guidelines aim to streamline and
standardize treatment.
• The campaign is part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) under the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare, aligning with the vision of a “TB-Mukt Bharat” (TB-free India) by
2025.
• This nationwide initiative covers 347 districts in 33 states and Union Territories (UTs), aiming
to strengthen the NTEP.
• This includes using mobile detection vans called “Ni-kshay Vahan” equipped with Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-powered X-ray units and molecular tests, which will be deployed in remote
areas to ensure that even the most underserved populations are screened for TB.
• The initiative will also expand nutritional support through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana,
which was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) on April 1, 2018
to support TB patients.
• Additionally, the campaign will continue to rely on the Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs, which
will decentralize TB services and bring quality care closer to communities.
• Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating
TB well before the 2030 target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Click here to
read more.

28.68th Session of _____________________, India has recently (December 2024) assumed the
Chairmanship for the first time.
1) United Nations Children’s Fund
2) United Nations Development Programme
3) United Nations General Assembly
4) United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs
5) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Answer- 4) United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, India assumed the Chairmanship for the first time of 68th session of the United
Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The announcement was made by the Indian
Embassy of Austria marking a significant milestone in the country’s global leadership.
• Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna
(Austria) assumed the Chairmanship of the CND.
• The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is a functional commission of the United Nations
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and serves as the Governing Body of the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) headquartered in Vienna. It is composed of 53
Member States elected by ECOSOC for a period of four years.
• As Chair, India aims to advocate for the interests of the Global South, in addressing illicit
drug trafficking, substance abuse and the availability of controlled substances for medical
and scientific purposes.

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29. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to India's participation in COP29,
the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, 2024?
A) The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) partnered with the
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to host a panel on integrating disaster-
resilient infrastructure into national adaptation strategies.
B) The LeadIT (Leadership Group for Industry Transition) Member Meet was held on 14th
November 2024 and organized by MoEFCC and the Government of Sweden.
C) The India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership (ITP) launched under LeadIT 2.0 at
COP29 in 2024.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
India participated COP29, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC), was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024.Through
various side events, in collaboration with international agencies, India underscored its commitment to
addressing climate challenges.
• India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) partnered with the
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to host a panel on integrating disaster-
resilient infrastructure into national adaptation strategies.
• The session discussed key approaches, challenges, and opportunities for integrating disaster
risk reduction (DRI) into national adaptation strategies for more resilient and sustainable
development.
• Union Minister of State(MoS) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan
Singh and Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, co-chaired
the Annual Summit of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), held on the
sidelines of COP29 to the UN Climate Change Summit.
• The India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership (ITP) launched under LeadIT 2.0 at COP28
in 2023.
• The LeadIT (Leadership Group for Industry Transition) Member Meet was held on 14th
November 2024 and organized by MoEFCC and the Government of Sweden.
• India has urged developed nations to provide at least USD 1.3 trillion annually until 2030 as
grants, concessional finance, and non-debt support for developing countries. India also
opposes making the COP29 climate finance package an investment goal. Click here to read
more.

30. In December 2024, Bank of Baroda (BOB) unveiled two new loans schemes, namely ‘Baroda
Mahila Swavalamban’ to support women and ‘Baroda Smart OverDraft’ for ____________________.
1) Farmers
2) Startups
3) Girl Child

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4) Self-Employed Individuals
5) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
Answer- 5) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
Explanation:
On December 09 2024, Bank of Baroda (BOB), India’s leading Public Sector Bank (PSB), unveiled two
new loans schemes targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The loan schemes are
‘Baroda Mahila Swavalamban’, a loan scheme designed specifically to support women
entrepreneurs and ‘Baroda Smart OverDraft(OD)’, a digital OD facility targeting Goods and Services
Tax (GST)-registered MSMEs.
• The main objective of both these new schemes is to ease access to financing for the MSME
sector.
• The new and existing customers of the bank can avail the benefits of both schemes, with a
simplified application process accessible through all branches of BoB across the country.
• Baroda Mahila Swavalamban offers competitive interest rates starting at 9.15%, the scheme is
linked to the Baroda Repo Linked Lending Rate (BRLLR).
• The borrowers can avail loans ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 7.5 crore, with relaxed margin
requirements for capital expenditure(capex).
• Baroda Smart OD will use technology-driven credit assessments based on GST returns, banking
activity, and online transactions.
• The beneficiaries can avail OD facility ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 25 lakh, on an interest
rate of 10% per annum for a period of 12-month. Click here to read more.

31. Who among the following is ‘not’ an Indian woman featured in the 12th edition of BBC’s 100
Most Inspiring and Influential Women List 2024?
A) Aruna Roy
B) Vinesh Phogat
C) Pooja Sharma
D) Harmanpreet Kaur
1) Only A & B
2) Only C & D
3) Only B
4) Only D
5) All the above
Answer- 4) Only D
Explanation:
On December 03 2024, London (the United Kingdom
(UK))-based British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
released the 12th edition of BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring and
Influential Women List 2024. This latest edition of the list
has featured 3 Indian women.
• Former civil servant and renowned social activist Aruna Roy; three-time Olympian-turned-
politician Vinesh Phogat, and performer of funerary rites, Pooja Sharma, for their exceptional
contributions to social activism, sports and breaking societal barriers.

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 • Apart from them, the list has included two Indian-origin women: Sunita Williams, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut and Sneha Revanur, 20-year old
Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert.
• In 2023, 4 Indian women: Actress Dia Mirza, Cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, Photographer Arati
Kumar-Rao and Tibetan Buddhist nun Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, were featured on the BBC’s 100
Most Influential Women List.
• The list is organised into 5 main categories: Culture & Education; Climate Pioneers;
Entertainment and Sport; Politics and Advocacy; and Science, Health and Tech.
• Aruna Roy served as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from 1968 to 1975.She is
one of the founding member of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) established in 1990,
played a pivotal role in the enactment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2005.
• Vinesh Phogat, is amongst India’s most accomplished wrestlers and a strong advocate against
sexual harassment towards women in sports.
• Pooja Sharma has performed funeral rites for unclaimed bodies in Delhi. She faced a lot of
criticism from priests and the community in general, as per tradition last rites are performed
by men in Hindu culture.
• Sunita Williams, a retired United States (US) Navy Helicopter pilot, has been recognised under
the ‘Science, Health and Tech.’ category. Click here to read more.

32. Who will be conferred with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and
Development for 2024 in recognition of the exemplary contributions to human rights, peace,
and equality?
1) Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria
2) Sir David Attenborough
3) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
4) Daniel Barenboim
5) Ali Abu Awwad
Answer- 1) Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria
Explanation:
On December 6, 2024, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust announced that Former President of Chile,
Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria will be conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,
Disarmament and Development for 2024 in recognition of her exemplary contributions to human
rights, peace, and equality.
• Michelle Bachelet was selected by the International Jury of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust,
chaired by Shivshankar Menon, former Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor
(NSA).
• She has strongly advocated for gender equality and the rights of the most vulnerable sections
of the population globally.
• Michelle Bachelet has served as the President of Chile for two-terms (from 2006-2010 and
2014-2018). She was the 1st female to hold the post of Presidency of Chile.
• She became the 1st inaugural Director of United Nations (UN) Women, an organisation
dedicated to fighting for the rights of women and girls internationally, from 2010 to 2013.
• Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace is an annual prestigious award which recognizes the
contributions of individuals or organisations for promoting international peace and
disarmament.

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 • The recipient of the award receives a monetary award of Rs 25 lakh along with a citation. Click
here to read more.

33. Which country has recently (in December ‘24) launched the Saman-1 Orbital Transfer Unit
(OTU) and Fakhr-1 nanosatellite into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through two-stage Satellite
Launch Vehicle (SLV), Simorgh?
1) Qatar
2) Iran
3) Kuwait
4) Oman
5) Saudi Arabia
Answer- 2) Iran
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, Iran has successfully launched its indigenously developed Saman-1 Orbital
Transfer Unit (OTU) or space tug, the Fakhr-1 nanosatellite, and an additional research payload into
the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through its domestically developed two-stage Satellite Launch Vehicle
(SLV), Simorgh. This marked a significant milestone in Iran’s space program.
• These payloads were launched from the Imam Khomeini Space Launch Terminal in rural
Semnan province in Tehran, Iran.
• This also marked the 8th successful launch of Simorgh, developed by the Iranian Ministry of
Defence.
• It has also created a new national record by lifting a combined payload weight of 300 kilogram
(kg), showcasing its ability to handle complex, multi-payload missions.
• Saman-1 is designed and developed by technicians from the Iranian Space Research Centre
(ISRC).
• It is a space tug, which aims to boost satellites in LEO up to higher orbits such as
geosynchronous orbit.
• Fakhr-1 Satellite is a communication satellite, designed and developed by the Iranian Army in
collaboration with SA Iran Corporation, and Tehran (Iran)-based Malek Ashtar University of
Technology.
• The satellite has a 3 cubic units (3U) size and weighs less than 10 kg.

34. Name the former Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka and Padma Vibhushan Awardee who
passed away in December 2024.
1) J. H. Patel
2) Ramakrishna Hegde
3) Sarekoppa Bangarappa
4) Dharam Narayan Singh
5) Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna
Answer- 5) Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna
Explanation:
On December 10 2024, Somanahalli Mallaiah(SM) Krishna, former Chief Minister (CM) of
Karnataka and former Governor of Maharashtra passed away at the age of 92 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
He was born on May 1 ,1932 in Somanahalli, Mysore(Karnataka).

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 • In 2023, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the 2nd highest civilian award of India,
in recognition of his contributions to Indian politics.
• SM Krishna began his political career in 1962 by winning the Maddur Vidhana Sabha seat as an
independent, defeating K.V. Shankar Gowda.
• He served as the 10th CM of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004 and led the state during which he
laid the foundation for Bengaluru’s emergence as an Information Technology (IT) hub.
• He also served as the 19th Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and also the Union
Minister of External Affairs under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from
2009–2012.

35. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi’s visit to Rajasthan and Haryana on 9th December 2024?
A) PM Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 and the
Rajasthan Global Business Expo at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in
Jaipur, Rajasthan.
B) He inaugurated the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’, an initiative of LIC in Jaipur, Rajasthan with an aim
to empower women through financial literacy and insurance awareness.
C) He also laid the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural
University (MHU) in Uchani, Karnal, Haryana.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Rajasthan and Haryana on 9th December 2024.
• PM Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 and the
Rajasthan Global Business Expo at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in
Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• The theme of the summit is ‘Replete, Responsible, Ready’ and was held from 9th to 11th
December 2024.
• PM Modi inaugurated the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’, an initiative of Life Insurance Corporation of
India (LIC) in Panipat, Haryana with an aim to empower women through financial literacy
and insurance awareness.
• LIC is expected to spend Rs 840 crore in the first year of Bima Sakhi Yojana.
• The scheme targets women of age 18 to 70 years who have passed class 10 and want to
become volunteer insurance agents.
• PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap
Horticultural University (MHU) in Uchani, Karnal, Haryana. It is the 7th horticultural
university in India.
• The estimated cost of the project is Rs 700 crores in which Rs 421 crores have been allocated
specifically for the main campus construction. Click here to read more.

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36. Name the portal that was recently (in December ‘24) launched by the Union Minister of
State (MoS), Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(MoPP&P) to strengthen governance and empower public administrators in India.
1) Amrit Gyaan Kosh
2) KrishiNivesh
3) Karmayogi
4) VisioNxt
5) Skill India Digital Hub
Answer- 1) Amrit Gyaan Kosh
Explanation:
On December 9, 2024, Union Minister of State(MoS), Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions(MoPP&P), launched the “Amrit Gyaan Kosh” Portal in New Delhi (Delhi) to
strengthen governance and empower public administrators in India.
• He also inaugurated the “Advanced Case Writing and Teaching Workshop” for 60 faculty
members from Civil Services Training Institutions (CSTI) nationwide.
• The event was attended by the leadership from the Capacity Building Commission (CBC),
Karmayogi Bharat, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
and the Program Instructors from Stanford Leadership Academy for Development.
• The portal, part of the Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) platform was developed
by the CBC and Karmayogi Bharat.
• It aims to build a comprehensive knowledge base by curating best practices from across India,
with a focus on aligning these practices with 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
• The workshop will take place in two cohorts, from December 9-13, 2024, and December 16-20,
2024, at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service(SSIFS), New Delhi.
• It was conducted by the CBC, in collaboration with the ADBI and the Stanford Leadership
Academy for Development.

37. Under which scheme the Ministry of Education (MoE) has recently (in December ‘24)
enhanced the “Material Cost” of pulses, vegetables and oil by 13.70%?
1) National Food Security Mission
2) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
3) Sabji Shetra Vistar Yojana
4) Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman
5) Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Answer- 4) Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman
Explanation:
On December 9 2024, the Ministry of Education (MoE) enhanced the “Material Cost” of pulses,
vegetables and oil by 13.70% covered under the Pradhan Mantri POshan SHakti Nirman (PM
POSHAN) Scheme. The decision was taken on the basis of an inflation index provided by the
Chandigarh-based Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E).
• As per the MoE directions, the material cost is increased from Rs 5.45 to Rs.6.19 for primary
and Bal Vatika classes and for upper primary classes, it is enhanced from Rs 8.17 to Rs 9.29,
with effect from December 01, 2024.
• These enhanced rates will be applicable to all states and Union Territories (UTs) of India.

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 • The material cost could not be revised during the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24). So, the
inflation rates of items under the PM POSHAN basket for both FY23 (6.45%) and FY24 (6.74%)
have been considered while determining the enhancement cost.
• The Government of India (GoI) will bear the additional financial burden of Rs 425.62 crore in
the current financial year (FY25) due to the enhancement of material cost.
• PM POSHAN Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Food Security Act,
2013(NFSA). The primary objective of the scheme is to provide nutritional support and
enhance school participation of students.
• In September 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime
Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had approved the renaming of scheme “National Scheme for
Mid-Day Meal in Schools” to PM POSHAN and extended the scheme from FY21 to FY26. Click
here to read more.

38. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi approved a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and
___________________.
1) National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology
2) Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
3) Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences
4) United Nations Environment Programme
5) Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection
Answer- 5) Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi approved a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kolkata(West Bengal, WB) based Geological Survey
of India (GSI) and Italy’s Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (CNR-IRPI).
• This collaboration aims to enhance landslide forecasting and early warning capabilities in
India, focusing on reducing risks in vulnerable hilly regions.
• GSI has established the National Landslide Forecasting (NLFC) facility at GSI, Kolkata to
develop and operationalize the regional LEWS in all the landslide prone States/ Union
Territories(UTs) in India within a planned timeline to reduce landslide risks in India.
• NLFC provides live forecast reporting on a daily basis in Kalimpong & Darjeeling districts of
WB and Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu(TN).
• This collaboration will help integrate GSI’s landslide inventory, susceptibility, and forecast
maps with PM Gati Shakti, enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerability in fragile hilly
terrains.

39. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 3rd edition of the “QS
World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025” released by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in
December 2024?
A) The University of Toronto, Canada has topped the list as the world’s most sustainable
university.
B) Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT Delhi) has topped among all Indian universities
featured on the list and has secured 171st position globally with an overall score of 80.6.
C) The USA with 239 institutions, has emerged as the most represented country on the list.

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1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
According to the 3rd edition of the “QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025” released
by the Quacquarelli Symonds(QS), global higher education experts, the Indian Institute of Technology-
Delhi (IIT-D) in New Delhi (Delhi) has topped among all Indian universities featured on the list and
has secured 171st position globally with an overall score of 80.6. It has improved its ranking by 255
places compared to 426th spot in the last year.
• IIT-D is followed by IIT Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) in Kharagpur, West Bengal (WB) and IIT Bombay
(IIT-B) in Mumbai, Maharashtra ranked at 202nd and 234th position, respectively.
• The University of Toronto, Canada has topped the list as the world’s most sustainable
university, followed by the ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland ranked at 2nd position.
• Lund University in Sweden and University of California, Berkeley (UCB), the United States of
America (USA), jointly ranked at 3rd spot on the list.
• The USA with 239 institutions, has emerged as the most represented country on the list.
• This latest edition of the rankings has featured 78 Indian universities on the list, of which 34
have improved their rankings compared to last year and 8 have maintained their previous
rankings.
• Manipal (Karnataka)-based Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) or Manipal
University, ranked at 390th spot globally, is the top ranked Indian university both in the
‘Governance’ category and in the ‘Equality’ lens. Click here to read more.

40. Which country has recently (in December ‘24) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with India to implement Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) aimed at enhancing its socio-
economic infrastructure?
1) Morocco
2) Nicaragua
3) Spain
4) Colombia
5) Nigeria
Answer- 2) Nicaragua
Explanation:
On December 11 2024, the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Nicaragua (GoN) signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) aimed at
enhancing the socio-economic infrastructure of Nicaragua.
• The primary aim of this partnership is to strengthen bilateral relations between India and
Nicaragua, which have been cooperative since the establishment of diplomatic ties in March
1983.
• The MoU aims to provide immediate and tangible benefits to local communities in Nicaragua
by focusing on key areas such as physical infrastructure, including roads and community
centers, as well as social infrastructure in education, healthcare and sanitation.

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 • The GoI will extend grant assistance for each QIP ensuring that these projects deliver visible
improvements on the ground.
• Through this initiative, India is actively contributing to global development by prioritizing
impactful, time-sensitive projects that address the local needs of Nicaragua.

41. In December 2024, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched its Golden Jubilee
(GJF) Scholarship Scheme 2024 to assist ___________________in accessing higher education.
1) Differently Abled Students
2) Girl Students
3) Economically Weaker Students
4) Academically Outstanding Students
5) Minority Communities Students
Answer- 3) Economically Weaker Students
Explanation:
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched its Golden Jubilee (GJF) Scholarship
Scheme 2024 to assist students from economically weaker families in accessing higher education.
This scheme supports students enrolled in government or private universities and those pursuing
technical, vocational, and integrated courses.
• This scheme supports students enrolled in government or private universities and those
pursuing technical, vocational, and integrated courses. The scholarship amount has increased
by up to 100% compared to the 2022 scheme.
• The online application process for this scholarship scheme was started on December 8 2024
and will end on December 22 2024.
• The LIC GJF Scholarship Scheme providing two types of Scholarship:
1. General Scholarship: The scholarship will be provided for the entire duration of the
course and
2. Special Scholarship for Girl Child: The scholarship will be provided for 2 years under
Special Girl Scholar, subject to the candidate fulfilling requisite eligibility conditions for
renewal.
• General Scholarship Eligibility: Open to students pursuing undergraduate studies or
equivalent courses in government or private institutions.
• Candidates pursuing post-graduation studies or receiving scholarships from private
institutions are not eligible.
• Only one student per family can receive the scholarship, but exceptions allow two if one or
both are female.
• Special scholarship for girl child: Rs 15,000 per annum, disbursed in two installments of Rs
7,500 each.
• Eligibility: Awarded to girls pursuing higher education after Class 10 in Intermediate (10+2),
Vocational, Diploma, or courses at ITIs. Click here to read more.

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42. Which company has recently (in December ‘24) secured Rs 136 crore contract to supply
indigenously designed High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) 8×8 to enhance India’s defence
capabilities?
1) BEML Limited
2) Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
3) Ashok Leyland Limited
4) Bharat Heavy Electricals
5) Bharat Electronics Limited
Answer- 1) BEML Limited
Explanation:
On December 11 2024, BEML Limited (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited), a Public Sector
Undertaking (PSU) company under Ministry of Defence (MoD) secured a Rs 136 crore contract to
supply indigenously designed High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) 8×8 to enhance India’s defence
capabilities.
• The vehicles will be deployed under the Battlefield Surveillance System (BFSS) project aimed
at reinforcing India’s strategic defence infrastructure.
• HMVs will be primarily manufactured at BEML’s Palakkad plant in Kerala with additional
production at other facilities based on operational requirements.
• It was designed to operate in extreme climates, ranging from -20°C (Celsius) to +55°C and at
altitudes up to 5,000 meters(m) above sea level, these vehicles will enhance the operational
efficiency of the BFSS project.
• The modular architecture allows seamless integration of various superstructures, reducing
costs and improving commonality across BEMLs military vehicle range, which spans from 4×4
to 12×12 configurations.

43. India’s first Integrated __________________ City and Learning Centre to be set up in Suthni village
of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP) by September 2025 to promote innovative and sustainable
management solutions.
1) Environmental Management
2) Resource Management
3) Waste Management
4) Bio-Energy Development
5) Sustainable Development
Answer- 3) Waste Management
Explanation:
India’s first Integrated Waste Management City and Learning Centre to be set up in Suthni village of
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP) by September 2025 to promote innovative and sustainable waste
management solutions.
• The model of the project was presented by Gorakhpur Municipal Commissioner (GMC) Gaurav
Sogarwal in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and New Delhi(Delhi).
• The project was unveiled by the Ministry of Environment (MoE)at the National Chief
Secretaries’ Conference in Delhi (New Delhi).
• The project will span 40 acres in Suthni village to make the city garbage free through
sustainable waste management practices.

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 • The project includes three dedicated plants, Dry Waste Plant, Wet Waste Plant and
Hazardous Waste Plant.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with National Thermal Power
Corporation (NTPC) with an investment of Rs 300 crore in the project.

44. Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), visited Russia from 8 to 10
December 2024.
Which Indian Naval Ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Yantar Shipyard in
Kaliningrad, Russia?
1) INS Talwar
2) INS Tarkash
3) INS Trikand
4) INS Tushil
5) INS Teg
Answer- 4) INS Tushil
Explanation:
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI) was on an official
3-day visit to the Russian Federation from 8 to 10 December 2024.
• His visit came ahead of Russian President Vladmir Putin’s visit to India at the invitation of
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in early 2025.
• During his visit, he paid tribute to the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War at
‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow, Russia.
• On December 9 2024, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tushil (F70), the latest multi-role stealth guided
missile frigate was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy (IN) in the presence of Union
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• It is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of Project 1135.6. At present, 6 vessels of this class
are in service with IN.
• The indigenous content of the INS Tushil has been increased to 26% and number of made-in-
India systems have been doubled to 33 due to the collaboration of Indian naval specialists and
Severnoye Design Bureau, a Russian ship designing company.
• On December 10 2024, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD, India and Andrey Belousov,
Minister of Defence, Russia co-chaired the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental
Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) held in Moscow,
the capital city of Russia. Click here to read more.

45. Which organisation has recently (in December ‘24) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with
Asian Development Bank (ADB) to boost financing for India's infrastructure sector for
sustainable development?
1) National Housing Bank
2) Small Industries Development Bank of India
3) National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited
4) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
5) National Bank for Financing Infrastructure Development
Answer- 5) National Bank for Financing Infrastructure Development

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Explanation:
In December 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and India’s National Bank for Financing
Infrastructure Development (NaBFID) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI), to boost financing for the
country’s infrastructure sector for sustainable development.
• Under the agreement, ADB will give NaBFID a technical grant to improve its capacity and
climate finance to address the funding gap in India’s infrastructure sector.
• The collaboration also includes offering credit lines through ADB-backed private-sector
investments to help finance and transform urban infrastructure and innovative projects that
promote sustainable and inclusive growth in India.
• The ADB has approved a USD 500 million loan, backed by a sovereign guarantee, to India
Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) to support India’s infrastructure projects in
areas such as connectivity, energy transition, urban development, education, and healthcare.
• The ADB has approved a USD 788.8 million loan to Andhra Pradesh(AP) for developing
Amaravati as a green, smart capital city with world-class infrastructure. Click here to read
more.

46. Which bank has recently (in December ‘24) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to enhance trade and business collaboration
between Australia and India?
1) Indian Bank
2) ICICI Bank
3) Bank of Baroda
4) Central Bank of India
5) Indian Overseas Bank
Answer- 2) ICICI Bank
Explanation:
On December 11 2024, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of
India (ICICI) Bank Limited, India’s leading private sector bank signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to enhance trade and
business collaboration between Australia and India.
• This partnership aims to support customers across the Australia-India corridor by offering
banking services and migration assistance.
• This MoU will allow both banks to explore collaborative efforts to assist corporate and
business customers looking to invest or establish operations in the other bank’s home
country.
• The Banks will assist customers migrating to Australia and India with banking services and
will also support cross-border payments by collaborating on customer-centric solutions.
• This collaboration comes in the wake of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and
Trade Agreement (ECTA), which has been in effect since December 2022.

47. Who has recently (in December ‘24) awarded with the ‘2024 Champions of the Earth
Award’ by the United Nations (UN)
1) J. S. Singh
2) Madhav Gadgil
3) Raman Sukumar

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4) Uma Ramakrishnan
5) Harini Nagendra
Answer- 2) Madhav Gadgil
Explanation:
In December 2024, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the winners of
the ‘2024 Champions of the Earth Award’, the UN’s highest environmental honor to recognize
individuals and organizations making extraordinary contributions to environmental protection,
focusing on combating land degradation, drought, and desertification.
• This year, nominations focused on finding champions who are restoring degraded land,
increasing drought resilience and preventing desertification.
• Veteran Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil was awarded with the Champions of Earth award
by the United Nations (UN). He is among the six awardees who have been bestowed the
honour for their respective contributions in the field of conservation and environmental
protection.
• The winners were announced at the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16)
to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Madhav Gadgil, a distinguished ecologist, academic, and writer from India, was honored in
the Lifetime Achievement category for his tireless commitment to safeguarding both
people and the planet.
• He is particularly celebrated for his groundbreaking research in India’s Western Ghats, a
unique biodiversity hotspot. Click here to read more.

48. In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the Burman family’s open
offer to acquire an additional 26% stake in which Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for
Rs. 2116 crore?
1) Bajaj Finance Limited
2) Muthoot Finance Limited
3) Shriram Finance Limited
4) Religare Enterprises Limited
5) Manappuram Finance Limited
Answer- 4) Religare Enterprises Limited
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the Burman family’s open offer to
acquire an additional 26% stake in the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Religare Enterprises
Limited (REL) for Rs.2116 crore.
• As of September 30, 2024, the Burman family owns a 25.12% stake in REL, which increased
above 51% after the RBI approval.
• The central bank also directed the maintenance of the current board/management
structure of REL.
• The acquirers are advised to consolidate the NBFCs in the resulting structure/ group (both
Burman and Religare group) as soon as possible and not later than March 31, 2026.
• Burmans’ is yet to receive approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
over its proposed open offer.

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49. In December 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched its 3rd Copernicus Sentinel-
1 satellite (Sentinel-1C) into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) for Advancing Earth Observation
and _____________________ at an altitude of 700 kilometre(km) from Europe’s Spaceport in French
Guiana, France.
1) Climate Change Tracking
2) Maritime Monitoring
3) Disaster Management
4) Environmental Sustainability
5) Oil Spill Detection
Answer- 2) Maritime Monitoring
Explanation:
In December 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its 3rd Copernicus
Sentinel-1 satellite (Sentinel-1C) into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of 700
kilometre(km), aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, France. This
launch is the 6th Sentinel satellite in the Copernicus program launched by Arianespace SA, world’s
leading aerospace company.
• The launcher’s mission called ‘VV25’ is a return-to-flight for Vega-C, which is Europe’s
lightweight, high-performance rocket.
• The Sentinel-1C satellite strengthens the Sentinel-1 constellation (1st Copernicus family),
which includes 2 identical satellites in orbit of 180°apart to optimize global coverage and
data delivery for the Copernicus programme.
• Sentinel-1 carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument, which allows it to
capture high resolution imagery of Earth’s surface.
• Sentinel-1C will enhance capabilities in detecting and monitoring maritime traffic through its
Automated Identification System (AIS), which captures ship signals to track vessel movements.
• Europe’s Vega-C rocket, weighing 210 tonnes launches 2300 kilogram(kg) satellites using 3
solid propellant stages and one liquid stage.

50. In which year Saudi Arabia will host the International Federation of Association Football
(FIFA) Men’s World Cup?
1) 2026
2) 2030
3) 2034
4) 2038
5) 2042
Answer- 3) 2034
Explanation:
On December 12 2024, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced Saudi
Arabia as the host for the Men’s World Cup 2034 during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress held in
Zurich, Switzerland. This significant milestone marks the kingdom’s global sports ambitions under
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative.
• This is the first time Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA Men’s World Cup. Saudi Arabia,
including 48 countries, will compete at the 25th edition of the World Cup.
• FIFA also announced that Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host the 24th men’s World
Cup with one-off matches in three South American countries.

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 • For its centenary celebrations, the first three matches of the 2030 World Cup will be held in
Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
• The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

STATIC GK

51. Which country has recently (in December ‘24) opened its first overseas atmospheric
monitoring station in Antarctica to observe changes on the southern continent and support the
global response to climate change?
1) China
2) India
3) Russia
4) Australia
5) United Kingdom
Answer- 1) China
Explanation:
China has opened its first overseas atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica to observe
changes on the southern continent and support the global response to climate change.
• Located in the Larsemann Hills in East Antarctica, the Zhongshan National Atmospheric
Background Station began operating, according to the China Meteorological Administration
(CMA).
• The station will conduct continuous and long-term operational observations of concentration
changes in Antarctic atmospheric components.

52. Which company has recently (in December ‘24) won the CII-EXIM Bank Award for Business
Excellence 2024?
1) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
2) Steel Authority of India Limited
3) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
4) IFB Automotive Private Limited
5) National Aluminium Company Limited
Answer- 3) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Explanation:
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has won the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and
the Export Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) CII-EXIM Bank Award for Business Excellence 2024 for
the second consecutive year.
• This prestigious accolade reaffirms the company’s unwavering commitment to business
excellence, resilience and its ability to adapt to the dynamic business landscape.
• The CII-EXIM Bank Award is based on the internationally recognised European Foundation for
Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model.

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53. In which tribal language the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Odisha office has recently (in
November ‘24) released five booklets to create financial literacy awareness among the tribal
population?
1) Santali
2) Bonda
3) Saura
4) Oram
5) Juanga
Answer- 1) Santali
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Odisha, office has released five booklets in the Santali language to
create financial literacy awareness among the tribal population.
• The booklets were prepared to commemorate 90 years of RBI’s operation in India.
• The RBI has prepared the booklets for school children, farmers, entrepreneurs, self-help
groups and senior citizens with the aim to create awareness about financial products and
services, good financial practices, going digital and consumer protection.

54. Which state will host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in April?
1) Uttarakhand
2) Madhya Pradesh
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Bihar
5) Haryana
Answer- 4) Bihar
Explanation:
Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 in April next year. A flagship event of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Bihar will be a new addition to the Khelo India map of the
country.
• For the first time and in the lines of the Summer Olympics, the Khelo India Para Games (KIPG)
will also be held in Bihar. There will be a gap of 10 to 15 days between KIYG and KIPG.

55. In November 2024, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) had bagged the media rights for all
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments from _______________.
1) 2024 to 2031
2) 2025 to 2030
3) 2026 to 2030
4) 2024 to 2032
5) 2025 to 2035
Answer- 1) 2024 to 2031
Explanation:
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), a part of
Japan’s Sony Group Corporation, had bagged the media rights for all ACC tournaments from 2024 to
2031.
• The deal includes broadcasting and digital rights for all ACC tournaments over the next eight
years.

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 • SPNI was the only company to bid for the rights, as JioStar, the other competitor, opted out of
the e-auction. Star India was the previous media rights holder for the ACC media rights from
2016 to 2023.

56. Who has recently (in November ‘24) appointed as the Chairman of the Governing Board of
BSE Limited?
1) S.S. Mundra
2) Neeraj Kumar Gupta
3) Subhasis Chaudhuri
4) Umakant Jayaram
5) Sundararaman Ramamurthy
Answer- 3) Subhasis Chaudhuri
Explanation:
BSE Limited, leading stock exchange, announced that the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) has approved the appointment of Subhasis Chaudhuri as the Chairman of the governing
board.
• The appointment is effective from the date of SEBI approval letter, November 21, 2024.

57. Which company has recently (in November ‘24) demerge its ice-cream business into an
independent listed entity?
1) Hindustan Unilever Limited
2) Britannia Industries
3) Mother Dairy
4) Nestlé India
5) Amul
Answer- 1) Hindustan Unilever Limited
Explanation:
Hindustan Unilever Limited’s (HUL) board of directors gave an in-principle approval to demerge the
ice-cream business into an independent listed entity. In the demerger process, the shareholders of
HUL will receive shares in the new entity in proportion to their shareholding in the parent company.
• The board and shareholders must approve the demerger plan before it can be implemented.
The board would be presented with the plan early in 2025.

58. Which bank has recently (in November ‘24) raised Rs 50,000 crore of debt from the
domestic bond market so far during the current financial year FY25?
1) Bank of Baroda
2) Canara Bank
3) Bandhan India
4) Federal Bank
5) State Bank of India
Answer- 5) State Bank of India
Explanation:
State Bank of India (SBI) has raised Rs 50,000 crore of debt from the domestic bond market so far
during the current financial year FY25.

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 • SBI has raised Rs 5,000 crore in AT1 bonds, Rs 15,000 crore in tier 2 bonds and Rs 30,000
crore in long-term infra bonds till date during FY25 at a very competitive rate.

59. Who has recently (in November ‘24) won the Under-8 World Cadets Chess Championship?
1) Divith Reddy
2) Sattwik Swain
3) Ziming Guo
4) Rajabov Abdurahmon
5) Aiden Linyuan Li
Answer- 1) Divith Reddy
Explanation:
Eight-year-old Divith Reddy of Hyderabad, Telangana, has won the Under-8 (U-8) World Cadets
Chess Championship in Montesilvano, Italy. He currently has a FIDE rating of 1784.
• He secured 9 out of the possible 11 points in the U-8 World Cadets Chess Championship and
was tied with fellow Indian Sattwik Swain and the Chinese Ziming Guo.
• Due to a better tie-break score, he was awarded the gold medal, Sattwik Swain the silver medal,
and the Chinese Ziming Guo got the bronze medal.

60. In November 2024, National Anti-Doping Agency suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia for
______________ after he refused to provide his sample for dope test in March 2024 during selection
trials for the national team.
1) Seven years
2) Six years
3) Five years
4) Four years
5) Three years
Answer- 4) Four years
Explanation:
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended wrestler Bajrang Punia for four years for his
refusal to provide his sample for dope test in March 2024 during selection trials for the national team.
• NADA had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler in April 2024 for the
offence following which, the World Governing body UWW had also suspended him.
• Bajrang had appealed against the provisional suspension and NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping
panel (ADDP) had revoked it on May 31 2024 till NADA issues the notice of charge.

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 Current Affairs Top 60 Q&A PDF – December 2024 3rd Week
(17 - 23)
1. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3 days Rising Rajasthan Global
Investment Summit 2024 (RRGIS 2024) and the Rajasthan Global Business Expo on 9th
December 2024.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved the development of a 2GW
(gigawatt) ________________ project in Rajasthan.
1) Bio-Energy
2) Solar Park
3) Hydropower
4) Wind Energy Farm
5) Geothermal Energy Plant
Answer- 2) Solar Park
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3 days Rising Rajasthan Global Investment
Summit 2024 (RRGIS 2024) and the Rajasthan Global Business Expo on 9th December 2024 at the
Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Rajasthan.
• The summit was conducted for three days from 9th December to 11th December 2024.
• The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024, is based on the theme- ‘Replete,
Responsible, Ready’.
• India is currently ranked as the 5th largest economy in the world.
• Rajasthan Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) of over Rs 35 lakh
crores during the Rising Rajasthan Global Summit 2024.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved the development of a 2GW
(gigawatt) Solar Park project of Rajasthan Solar Development Corporation in Rajasthan.
• Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced nine road and
highway projects for Rajasthan, with a combined length of 800 kilometers on 10th December
2024.
• The Adani Group has planned to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore in Rajasthan, focusing on green
energy and infrastructure with over half of this investment to be implemented in the next five
years.
• Tata Power has announced an investment of Rs 1.2 lakh crore in Rajasthan in various
renewable energy related projects.
• The Aditya Birla Group is going to invest Rs 50,000 crore in Rajasthan over the coming years,
across multiple sectors including cement, renewable energy, telecom, and retail.The chairman
of this group is Kumar Mangalam Birla. Click here to read more.

2. Which state has recently (in December ‘24) became the first state to approve the
Development and Promotion of Sports Act 2024 to promote the enhancement of sports
infrastructure and transparency in player selection?
1) Punjab
2) Kerala
3) Sikkim

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4) Jharkhand
5) Gujarat
Answer- 1) Punjab
Explanation:
On December 9 2024, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann gave approval to enact the
‘Punjab State (Development and Promotion of Sports) Act 2024’, becoming the 1st state in India to
promote the enhancement of sports infrastructure and transparency in player selection.
• As per the National State Policy (NSP) 2024, the initiative aims to establish a legal framework
that adopts National and International best practices to drive the development of sports
within the state.
• The primary objectives of the Act include promoting the growth of sports, ensuring the fair
selection of players at district, state and national levels and also fostering transparency within
sports associations.
• The act mandates that accounts must be maintained by a Chartered Accountant, with an annual
statement of income and expenditure published by May 31.
• A five-member committee: To select the team & players for district or state representation,
consisting of the General Secretary, 2 Senior Coaches and 2 Eminent players.
• A Dispute Resolution Committee: Formed under the Deputy Commissioner or Administrative
Secretary will address player appeals within 7 days.
• The Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), New Delhi (Delhi) is
framing the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2024 to promote sports excellence and development
in India.

3. Name the trilateral air combat exercise conducted between Indian Air Force (IAF), the
France Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) from 11 to
13 December 2024 to enhance their defence cooperation.
1) VARUNA 2024
2) Mitra Shakti 2024
3) Pitch Black 2024
4) Desert Knight 2024
5) Nomadic Elephant 2024
Answer- 4) Desert Knight 2024
Explanation:
The Indian Air Force (IAF), the France Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates Air
Force (UAEAF) have conducted their trilateral air combat exercise ‘Desert Knight 2024’ over the
Arabian Sea for three days from 11 to 13 December 2024 to enhance their defence cooperation. It
was the 2nd trilateral exercise of 2024.
• The aim of the exercise was to enhance synergy and interoperability among the air forces of
the three countries.
• The IAF participated with aircraft, Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars, supported by IL-78 mid-air
refuellers and AEW&C (airborne early-warning and control) systems, operating from
Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• French Rafale jets and UAE’s F-16 fighters were stationed at the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE.
• The “large force engagement” exercise showcased intense combat exercises conducted around
350-400 kilometer(km) southwest of Karachi, over the Arabian Sea.

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 • The “Desert Knight” exercise expands on the trilateral framework set up in 2022 by the foreign
ministers of India, France, and the UAE.

4. Who has recently (in December ‘24) won the “2024 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
Player of the Year Award”?
1) Jasmine Paolini
2) Emma Navarro
3) Aryna Sabalenka
4) Lulu Sun
5) Sara Errani
Answer- 3) Aryna Sabalenka
Explanation:
In December 2024, Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, currently ranked world No. 1 in
singles, was honoured with the ‘2024 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Player of the Year Award’,
taking the crown for the 1st time in her career. She has won 23 career titles, 17 in singles and 6 in
doubles.
• WTA has announced the 2024 WTA Player Award winners including 5 Players Awards and 3
Player Service Awards.
• The WTA celebrated the standout performers of 2024 during WTA Awards Week, held from
December 9-13, 2024.
• Aryna Sabalenka has won 3 singles titles at the 2023 & 2024 Australian Opens, and the 2024
United States (US) Open and 2 doubles titles at the 2019 US Open and the 2021 Australian
Open.
• She has won 23 career titles, 17 in singles and 6 in doubles.
• Along with her Grand Slam success, she won titles in Cincinnati (USA) and Wuhan (China),
bringing her total to 4 titles for the year.
• Jasmine Paolini & Sara Errani – Doubles Team of the Year WTA 2024
• Emma Navarro – Most Improved Player WTA 2024
• Lulu Sun – Newcomer of the Year WTA 2024
• Paula Badosa – Comeback Player of the Year WTA 2024 Click here to read more.

5. Match the following according to the persons who received the awards by TIME Magazine in
December 2024.
Person Award Category

i) Donald Trump (a) Athlete of the Year

ii) Lisa Tzwu-Fang Su (b) Person of the Year

iii) Caitlin Clark (c) CEO of the Year

1) i – (b); ii – (c); iii – (a)
2) i – (a); ii – (b); iii – (c)
3) i – (c); ii – (a); iii – (b)
4) i – (c); ii – (b); iii – (a)
5) i – (b); ii – (a); iii – (c)

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Answer- 1) i – (b); ii – (c); iii – (a)
Explanation:
On December 12 2024, New York (the United States of America (USA))–based TIME magazine, named
US President-elect Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for 2024, recognising his deep influence
on American politics and the country’s role in the world.
• He was previously named TIME’s Person of the Year in 2016.
• The other world personalities short listed as finalists, including: Elon Musk, Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Tesla; Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister (PM) of Israel; Kate Middleton,
the Princess of Wales, US Vice President Kamala Harris, among others.
• Caitlin Clark (22 years-old), an American basketball player has been named as the TIME
Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024.
• Lisa Tzwu-Fang Su (55 years old), CEO and Chair of California (the USA)-based Advanced Micro
Devices Inc.(AMD), a semiconductor design company has been named as the TIME Magazine’s
CEO of the Year for 2024.
• Since 1927, TIME magazine has been naming “Person of the Year” title (which was previously
named as ‘Man of the Year’ till 1999), recognizing a person/ a group/ movement that shaped
the world for better or worse in the last 12 months. Click here to read more.

6. In December 2024, The Hon’ble President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred National
Panchayat Awards 2024 upon 45 awardees including 42 Panchayats and 3 Capacity Building
Institutes organised by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Which among the following is ‘not’ the award category in the National Panchayat Awards 2024?
1) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar
2) Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar
3) Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar
4) Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar
5) Swachh Gram Panchayat Puraskar
Answer- 5) Swachh Gram Panchayat Puraskar
Explanation:
On December 11 2024, The Hon’ble President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred National
Panchayat Awards 2024 upon 45 awardees including 42 Panchayats and 3 Capacity Building
Institutes, selected across different categories for their outstanding contributions to sustainable and
inclusive development.
• The event was organised by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoR) at Vigyan Bhawan in
New Delhi, Delhi.
• These awards are conferred annually by the MoPR since 2011 to acknowledge and incentivize
the best-performing Panchayats across the country.
• These awards are organised annually on 24th April (National Panchayati Raj Day) to
commemorate the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
• These Awards recognises the efforts of those Panchayats which excels across 9 thematic areas
like: Poverty-free and enhanced livelihoods Panchayat; healthy Panchayat; child-friendly
Panchayat; water-sufficient Panchayat ; clean and green Panchayat; self-sufficient
infrastructure Panchayat; Panchayat with good governance; women friendly Panchayat and
Socially Just and secured Panchayat.

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 • The winners are broadly classified into 5 main categories, with main focus on recognizing
grassroots governance, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
• This year total 1.94 lakh GPs participated in the competition. Among 42 award-winning
Panchayats, 42% are being led by women. Click here to read more.

7. Which country has recently (in December ‘24) won the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under
(U)-19 Men’s Asia Cup title by defeating India in the finals held at Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(UAE)?
1) Australia
2) Bangladesh
3) Pakistan
4) Sri Lanka
5) Afghanistan
Answer- 2) Bangladesh
Explanation:
Bangladesh defeated India in the finals by 59 runs to win their 2nd consecutive Asian Cricket Council
(ACC) Under (U)-19 Men’s Asia Cup title. The Final was held on 8th December 2024 at Dubai
International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• The 11th edition of the tournament was held from 29th November to 8th December 2024 in
Sharjah and Dubai, UAE.
• Bangladesh won their first U-19 Men’s Asia Cup in 2023 by defeating UAE by 195 runs.
• India has been the most successful team to have won 8 titles in this tournament- 1989, 2003,
2012, 2013/14, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively.
• The Indian team was captained by Mohamed Amaan while the team of Bangladesh was
captained by Azizul Hakim Tamin.
• The participants included 5 Asian full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) —
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh as well as the three associate
members—UAE, Japan, and Nepal who were selected through regional competitions.

8. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the President Droupadi
Murmu’s assent to the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak (BVV) 2024 in December 2024?
A) The President of India, Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak
(BVV) 2024, which replaced the colonial-era (90-year-old) Aircraft Act of 1934.
B) In 2020, the Aircraft Act was amended to grant statutory recognition to 3 critical bodies:
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and
Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
C) The Bill outlines significant penalties for violations such as illegal carriage of prohibited
goods and failure to comply with aviation rules. Penalties include imprisonment up to 3 years,
a fine of up to 1 crore rupees or both.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C

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Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
In December 2024, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Bharatiya
Vayuyan Vidheyak (BVV) 2024, which replaced the colonial-era (90-year-old) Aircraft Act of 1934.
• The notification was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) following the bill’s
passage in both Houses of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok
Sabha(House of the People).
• The primary aim is to enhance safety, streamline regulatory processes and improve aviation
security and infrastructure management in India.
• In India, the civil aviation sector is primarily governed by two key laws: The Aircraft Act,
1934 and The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) Act, 2008.
• In 2020, the Aircraft Act was amended to grant statutory recognition to 3 critical bodies:
1. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for regulatory functions and safety
oversight.
2. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for security purposes.
3. Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for accident investigations.
• The Bill outlines significant penalties for violations such as illegal carriage of prohibited goods
and failure to comply with aviation rules.
• Penalties include imprisonment up to 2 years, a fine of up to 1 crore rupees or both.
• The Act empowers the central government to appoint an officer for adjudication of
penalties.This officer must be of the rank of the Deputy Secretary to Government of India or
above. Click here to read more.

9. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the launch of ‘Taxonomy of
Green Steel for India' in New Delhi, Delhi in December 2024?
A) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Ministry of Steel (MoS) and Ministry of Heavy Industries
& Public Enterprises (MoHI&PE) unveiled the ‘Taxonomy of Green Steel for India’ in New Delhi,
Delhi. India becomes the 1st country in the world to launch a taxonomy for green steel.
B) This launch reaffirmed India’s commitment to decarbonize the steel sector which is also in
alignment with net-zero emission intensity target by 2040.
C) The newly released taxonomy has classified green steel into 3 main star-rating categories
based on the greenness of the steel: 5-star green-rated steel, 4-star green-rated steel and 3-star
green-rated steel.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C
Explanation:
In December 2024, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Ministry of Steel (MoS) and Ministry of
Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises (MoHI&PE) unveiled the ‘Taxonomy of Green Steel for India
during an event held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi. With this, India becomes the 1st country
in the world to launch a taxonomy for green steel.

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 • This launch reaffirmed India’s commitment to decarbonize the steel sector which is also in
alignment with net-zero emission intensity target by 2070.
• The MoS has also organised stakeholder consultations on the draft of National Mission on
Green Steel (NMGS) and the Green Steel Public Procurement Policy (GSPPP) during the event.
• As per the new framework, green steel will be defined in terms of its emission intensity. It has
set a limit of 2.2 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission per tonne of finished steel
(tCO2e/tfs).
• The newly released taxonomy has classified green steel into 3 main star-rating categories
based on the greenness of the steel:
1. 5-star green-rated steel: steel with emission intensity less than 1.6 tCO2e/tfs.
2. 4-star green-rated steel: steel with emission intensity in the range between 1.6 and
2.0 tCO2e/tfs.
3. 3-star green-rated steel: steel with emission intensity in the range between 2.0 and
2.2 tCO2e/tfs.
• Steel with emission intensity exceeding the threshold of 2.2 tCO2e/tfs will be ineligible for
green rating.
• The upper limit for defining the star rating of green steel will be reviewed after every 3 years,
to ensure that it remains in line with technological advancements and industry requirements.
Click here to read more.

10. With which company the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently (in December ‘24) signed
a contract worth Rs 13,500 crore for the procurement of 12 indigenous Sukhoi Su-30MKI
fighter jets for the Indian Air Force(IAF)?
1) BrahMos Aerospace
2) Garuda Aerospace Private Limited
3) Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace
4) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
5) Adani Aerospace and Defence Limited
Answer- 4) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth Rs 13,500 crore with
Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 12
indigenous Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets for the Indian Air Force(IAF).
• The contract aligns with the ongoing “Super Sukhoi” project which aims to upgrade 84 Sukhoi
Su-30MKI aircraft with advanced weapon systems, radars and avionics.
• This initiative aims at India’s broader modernization efforts to enhance the operational
capability by giving the IAF, a long-range missile exceeding 1,500 kilometer (km) to safeguard
national interests.
• The newly procured Sukhoi Su-30MKIs will feature 62.6% indigenous content with key
components sourced from the Indian defence industry.
• These two-seater, long-range multi-role fighter jets will be manufactured at HAL’s Nasik
division contributing to the country’s self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
• In December 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the acquisition of 100
additional K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers to enhance India’s defence capabilities along the

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 Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The estimated cost of the 100 artillery guns is Rs
7000 crore.
• The project launched under the MoD aims to strengthen India’s military operational readiness
in strategic border areas.
• The range of these artillery guns is over 40 km and they can launch projectiles at a speed of
around 65 kilometres per hour(km/h). Click here to read more.

11. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific
Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in December 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand?
A) Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project in Tokyo Japan, has won the Award of Excellence,
the highest honour of UNESCO heritage awards.
B) Abathsahayeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu (TN) received “Award of Distinction”.
C) Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution (BJPCI Conservation Project) in
Maharashtra received “Award of Merit”.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On December 6 2024, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
announced the winners of 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
also known as Heritage Awards at its regional office in Bangkok, Thailand (UNESCO Bangkok).
• This year total 8 projects from 5 different countries of Asia-Pacific region: India (2), Thailand
(1), China (3), New Zealand(1) and Japan(1) were honored with UNESCO’s prestigious Heritage
awards.
• Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project in Tokyo Japan, has won the Award of Excellence,
the highest honour of UNESCO heritage awards.
• Total 2 projects from India were honoured with two different heritage awards:
Abathsahayeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu (TN) received “Award of Distinction” and Sir
Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution (BJPCI Conservation Project) in
Maharashtra received “Award of Merit”.
• Abathsahayeswarar Temple is a 1,300-year old temple located in Thukkatchi in Thanjavur
district, TN.
• It is believed that the temple was constructed by King Vikram Chola and King Kulothunga
Chola of the Chola Empire.
• BJPCI Conservation Project was founded by Sir Byramjee Jeejeebhoy in 1891.The school
building was formally established in 1908 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, designed in Gothic Revival
Style.
• It was originally designed by Khan Bahadur Muncherji C Murzban, renowned builder known
for making landmark public buildings.
• The restoration of over-century old BJPCI is led by Mumbai-based conservation architect Vikas
Dilawari, who has been associated with this project since 1989.
• UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation were established in 2000.

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 • UNESCO introduced a new award named “Award of Special Recognition for Sustainable
Development” in 2020. The main purpose of this award is to recognise the contribution of
cultural heritage to sustainable development. Click here to read more.

12. Where will the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 take place
between January 23 and February 25, 2025 organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports?
1) Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir
2) Delhi and Chandigarh
3) Assam and Nagaland
4) Puducherry and Tamil Nadu
5) Haryana and Punjab
Answer- 1) Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation:
On 11 December 2024, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
(MYAS) announced that the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 will take
place between January 23 and February 25, 2025, in Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh and UT of
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
• The KIWG will kick off the Khelo India season, with the Youth and Para Games in Bihar in
April 2025 and the University Games later in the year.
• Ice Events such as ice hockey and ice skating will be hosted from January 23 to 27, 2025
in Leh, Ladakh for the second consecutive year.
• Snow Events, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, and
snowboarding, will be hosted from February 22 to 25, 2025 in Gulmarg, J&K.
• The athletes identified through the KIWG will be integrated into the National Sports
Repository System (NSRS).

13. National Energy Conservation Day (NECD) is annually observed across India on 14th
December.
Which organisation is promoting the NECD under the Ministry of Power (MoP)?
1) NTPC Limited
2) NHPC Limited
3) Bureau of Energy Efficiency
4) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
5) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
Answer- 3) Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Explanation:
National Energy Conservation Day (NECD) is annually
observed across India on 14th December to raise
awareness about the importance of saving energy and
encourage individuals, industries, and institutions to adopt efficient and sustainable energy practices
for a better future.
• NECD is promoted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power
(MoP).

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 • The first-ever NECD was observed on 14th December 1991.
• Energy conservation involves minimising unnecessary energy use by reducing energy services.
• BEE under MoP will observe National Energy Conservation Week from 14 to 20 December
2024 across India.
• NECA and Innovation Awards comprising 23 first prizes, 19 second prizes, 25 certificates of
merit, and 4 certificates of recognition for innovation.
• NECA Category: Industry, Transport, Buildings, Institution and Appliance of the year.
• Innovation Awards for Professional Category: Industry, Transport and Building
• Maharashtra has secured the first prize in Group 1 of the State Performance Award under
NECA 2024, while Karnataka has won the second prize.
• Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd. from Odisha won first prize in Cement sector under Industry
Category.
• Lulu International Shopping Malls Pvt Ltd., from Kerala won first prize in the Shopping
Malls & Plazas sector under Building Category. Click here to read more.

14. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) organised the 1st India Maritime
Heritage Conclave (IMHC 2024) from December 11 to December 12, 2024 in New Delhi, Delhi.
Where is the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) being developed with an investment
of Rs 4,000 crore over the next 5 years by the Government of India (GoI)?
1) Mumbai in Maharashtra
2) Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
3) Kolkata in West Bengal
4) Lothal in Gujarat
5) Kochi in Kerala
Answer: 4) Lothal in Gujarat
Explanation:
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) organised the 1st India Maritime Heritage
Conclave (IMHC 2024) from December 11 to December 12, 2024 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka in New
Delhi, Delhi. The conclave was inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
• Theme of IMHC 2024: "Towards Understanding India's Position in Global Maritime
History".
The Government of India (GoI) plans to invest Rs 4,000 crore in next 5 years, for the development of
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat. The government aims to promote
the city Lothal, home to the world's 1st man-made dock, as an international tourist destination.
i.The redevelopment of the NMHC, Lothal will include key components like: a maritime separate area
for preservation of ancient and modern technologies, a hub for research on maritime archaeology,
among others.
ii.For the development of NMHC project, the GoI has collaborated with experts from 12 countries,
including the United Kingdom(UK), Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, among others.
iii.MoPSW has designated the Indian Ports Association (IPA) as the nodal agency to monitor the
overall implementation of the NMHC, with the Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited (IPRCL) as the
executing agency.
Click here to read more

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15. Which Indian organization has recently (in December ‘24) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Emirates Polar Mission Steering
Committee (EPMSC) during the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New
Delhi, Delhi?
1) Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
2) National Institute of Ocean Technology
3) National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
4) Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology
5) Indian Space Research Organisation
Answer: 3) National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
Explanation:
In December 2024, India’s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and the United
Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Emirates Polar Mission Steering Committee (EPMSC) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) during the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New
Delhi, Delhi to strengthen collaboration in polar and ocean research, academic partnerships,
operations, and capacity development.
i.The meeting was jointly chaired by Minister S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister(DPM) and Foreign
Minister(FM).
ii.India and the UAE also held the 4th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. India and UAE discussed ways
to strengthen their strategic partnership in areas like defence, emerging technologies, nuclear energy,
polar research, critical minerals, and renewable energy, among others.
Click here to read more

16.Which company has recently (in December ‘24) partnered with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut
Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL), commenced the commercial operations of the 1980 MW
Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant (GTPP) in Uttar Pradesh (UP)?
1) NLC India Limited (NLCIL)
2) NTPC Limited
3) Power Grid Corporation of India
4) Adani Power
5) Torrent Power
Answer: 1) NLC India Limited (NLCIL)
Explanation:
In December 2024, Neyveli (Tamil Nadu) based NLC India Limited (NLCIL) in partnership with Uttar
Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) has commenced commercial operations of
its 1st supercritical power plant ‘1980 Mega Watt (MW) Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant’ (GTPP) in
Uttar Pradesh(UP).
i.It is the first fossil fuel-based thermal power plant commissioned in India during the Financial Year
2024-25(FY25). It was developed by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL).
ii.After the first 660 MW unit of the power plant began operating, the total capacity of NLC India Ltd
and its group companies increased from 6,071 MW to 6,731 MW.
iii.The GTPP project is aimed to meet the increasing electricity demand in UP and Assam. With its
supercritical technology, the plant provides better thermal efficiency, uses less fuel, and produces
fewer emissions than regular thermal plants.

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Note: NLCIL (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited) under the Ministry of Coal (MoC),
was established in 1956.

17. Which of the following points is/ are ‘correct’ with respect to the 16th session of the
Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD) held from 2nd December to 13th December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A) The Aravali Green Wall Project (AGWP) aims to revive over 1.1 million hectares of the hills
across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi by 2030.
B) India's "Plant for Mother" campaign has planted over 1 billion saplings in 2024 to tackle
land degradation and climate change.
C) COP16 in Riyadh secured over USD 12 billion in pledges, enhancing the role of financial
institutions and the private sector in tackling land degradation, desertification, and drought.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only C
4) Only B & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer: 4) Only B & C
Explanation:
The 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was conducted from 2nd December to 13th December 2024 in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The conference was based on the theme – Our Land. Our Future saw the
participation of nearly 200 countries.
• It was the largest UN land conference till now involving UNCCD’s 197 Parties – 196 countries
and the European Union (EU).
• This was the first UNCCD COP being held in the Middle East and North Africa region and the
largest multilateral conference ever hosted by Saudi Arabia.
• The event also coincided with the UNCCD’s 30th anniversary.
• The UNCCD estimates that USD 2.6 trillion in investments are needed by 2030 to restore over
one billion hectares of degraded land and enhance drought resilience.
i.India presented the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP). The Aravali project aims to revive over
1.1 million hectares of the hills across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi by 2027.
ii.India's "Plant for Mother" campaign has planted over 1 billion saplings in 2024 to tackle land
degradation and climate change.
iii.Global Drought Resilience Partnership was launched on the opening day of COP16, under Saudi
Arabia's leadership to combat drought impacts globally. COP16 in Riyadh secured over USD12 billion
in pledges, enhancing the role of financial institutions and the private sector in tackling land
degradation, desertification, and drought.
iv.India has actively participated in launching the International Big Cat Alliance, a global coalition of a
range of countries of big cats.
v.India also supported the G-20 goal to plant 1 trillion trees by 2030, thereby creating carbon sinks.
vi.Moreover, India has adopted a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society”, approach to restore
of degraded land through the Green India Mission.

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vii.India’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS),
established in 2005 plays a major role in contributing to this employment, especially in areas focused
on environmental and land restoration work.
Click here to read more

18. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) has recently (in
December ‘24) released the report titled "The Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils," which was
launched during the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to the report, how much land (in hectares) is affected by salinity globally?
1) 2 billion hectares
2) 1.4 billion hectares
3) 500 million hectares
4) 1 billion hectares
5) 750 million hectares
Answer: 2) 1.4 billion hectares
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) of the United Nations(UN) released
its first major global assessment of salt-affected soils in 50 years. The report, titled “The Global Status
of Salt-Affected Soils” was launched during the International Soil and Water Forum 2024 in
Bangkok, Thailand and was co-organized by FAO and Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture &
Cooperatives.
• According to a new report by the FAO of the UN, nearly 1.4 billion hectares (ha) of land or
10.7% of the global land area was affected by salinity.
• As per the report India had approximately 6.72 million hectares (mha) of salt-affected soils of
which 2.95 mha were saline and the remaining 3.77 mha were sodic which constitute about
2.1% of the country’s total geographical area.
• The report also highlights the increasing threat of soil salinity, urging global action to address
soil degradation and water scarcity which pose serious risks to food security worldwide.
Click here to read more

19. According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) official data which was recently (in December
‘24) released, the Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio of Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
decreased from 14.58% in March 2018 to ________ in September 2024?
1) 3.12%
2) 5.45%
3) 4.20%
4) 6.30%
5) 2.85%
Answer: 1) 3.12%
Explanation:
According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) official data released in December 2024, Gross Non-
Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have decreased to a decade low from a
peak of 14.58% March 2018 to 3.12% in September 2024.

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i.It cited that this significant improvement in GNPA ratio of PSBs is due to measures like the 4Rs
(Recognition, Recapitalisation, Resolution, and Reform) undertaken by the Government of India (GoI),
since 2015.
ii.Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of PSBs have improved by 393 basis points (bps),
from 11.45% (in March 2015) to 15.43% (in September 2024).
iii.The data revealed that PSBs have reported the highest ever cumulative net profit of Rs 1.41 lakh
crore during the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) compared to the net profit of Rs 1.05 lakh crore in
FY23.
iv.The number of bank branches in India have increased from 1,17,990 (in Mar-14) to 1,60,501 (in
Sep-24). Of 1, 60,501 branches, 1, 00, 686 are located in Rural and Semi-Urban (RUSU) areas of the
country.
Click here to read more

20. Recently (in December ‘2024) National Apex Chamber, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (PHDCCI) released report titled “States’ Performance Indicator Report: Paving India’s
Green Path for Sustainable and Inclusive Development”, during the States’ Policy Conclave held
at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.
Which of the following is/are ‘correct’ according to the report released by PHDCCI?
A) Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are top performers in agricultural production,
significantly contributing to the nation’s food security.
B) Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are rich in mineral resources.
C) Industrial and Technological advancements: Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka lead in
industrial and technological advancements.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only C
4) Only B & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer: 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On December 11, 2024, New Delhi-based National Apex
Chamber, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(PHDCCI) unveiled an analytical report titled “States’
Performance Indicator Report: Paving India’s Green Path
for Sustainable and Inclusive Development”, during the
States’ Policy Conclave held at Hotel Le Meridian, New
Delhi.
i.The report highlighted that India’s states have shown
strong economic recovery post-COVID-19, with 25 states achieving more than 7% growth in Gross
State Domestic Product (GSDP) during FY22 and FY23, among them 17 states achieved more than 9%
growth rate.
ii.Gujarat, Kerala, Telangana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and
Odisha have stood out for their strong economic performance during 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The top-performed states in GSDP growth during FY22 and FY23, based on key indicators:
i. Agriculture production: Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are top performers in agricultural

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production, significantly contributing to the nation’s food security.
ii.Mineral resources: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are rich in mineral resources.
iii. Industrial and Technological advancements: Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka lead in industrial
and technological advancements.
Click here to read more

21. Who was recently (in December ‘2024) appointed as the Prime Minister (PM) of France by
President Emmanuel Macron, after former PM Michel Barnier?
1) Francois Bayrou
2) Jean Castex
3) Edouard Philippe
4) Bernard Cazeneuve
5) Manuel Valls
Answer: 1) Francois Bayrou
Explanation:
In December 2024, the President of France Emmanuel Macron appointed veteran centrist Francois
Bayrou, leader of the MoDem group allied with Macron’s party, as the Prime Minister (PM) of France,
after former PM Michel Barnier was overthrown by Parliament.
i.His appointment comes as France faces significant political instability due to a fragmented National
Assembly, with no single party holding a majority.
ii.On December 13 2024, Michel Barnier officially transferred his power to Francois Bayrou during a
ceremony held in Paris, France.

22.Which company has recently (in December ‘2024) acquired 84.44% stake of Shriram
Housing Finance Limited (SHFL) from Shriram Finance Limited (SFL) for Rs 3,929 crore?
1) Carlyle Group
2) Blackstone
3) Warburg Pincus
4) Bain Capital
5) TPG Capital
Answer: 3) Warburg Pincus
Explanation:
In December 2024, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Shriram Finance Limited (SFL), a Non-Banking
Finance Company (NBFC) and the flagship company of the Shriram Group, completed the sale of its
entire 84.44% stake in its subsidiary, Shriram Housing Finance Limited (SHFL) to the United States of
America (USA)-based investment firm Warburg Pincus for Rs 3,929 crore.
i.The deal was finalized with Warburg Pincus’s affiliate, Mango Crest Investment Ltd., after obtaining
all necessary regulatory approvals.
ii.This transaction, first announced in May 2024, also involves Valiant Capital Partners LP, based in
San Francisco (USA). The private equity firm, which owned the remaining stake in SHFL, will also
divest its entire equity stake to Warburg Pincus.
iii.The sale allows SFL to focus on its core operations and pursue growth opportunities.

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23. Indian grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest world champion at 18,
defeating China’s Ding Liren to win the World Chess Championship 2024, held from 25th
November to 12th December 2024 in Singapore, breaking the record of which world
champion?
1) Magnus Carlsen's
2) Vishwanathan Anand's
3) Bobby Fischer's
4) Anatoly Karpov's
5) Garry Kasparov's
Answer: 5) Garry Kasparov's
Explanation:
Indian grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju (D. Gukesh) from Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) defeated China’s
Ding Liren in the 14th and final round to win the World Chess Championship 2024 that was held from
25th November to 12th December 2024 in Singapore.
i.With this win, D.Gukesh has become the 18th and the youngest world champion at the age of 18
years 8 months 14 days till date.
ii.Before Gukesh, Garry Kasparov (Russia) was crowned as the world champion in 1985 when he was
22 years, six months and 27 days old.
iii.D.Gukesh was awarded with a prize money Rs.11.45 crore(USD 1.35 million) by the International
Chess Federation (FIDE).
iv.He will also be awarded with Rs.5 crore by the TN government.
v.Gukesh is the 2nd grandmaster from India to hold the world title.
vi.Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was the unbeaten world champion for 6 years starting in 2007.
vii.Now, his name has been removed from the Rapid & Blitz lists by the FIDE.
viii. Magnus Carlsen, was 22 years, 11 months and 24 days when he won his first championship in
2013.

24. Which of the following is/are correct with respect to the Union Home Minister and Minister
of Cooperation, Amit Shah’s 3 day visit to Chhattisgarh from 13 to 15 December 2024?
A) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change facilitated an agreement between
the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Cooperative
Federation Limited (CGMFPFED) and National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL) aimed to
certify forest produce for better market prices.
B) The second agreement between the Chhattisgarh Government, Chhattisgarh State
Cooperative Dairy Federation and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) focuses on
expanding dairy cooperatives in every village of the state.
C) Amit Shah attended the closing ceremony of the ‘Bastar Olympics’ in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
where he praised the local athletes and the people for their spirit of unity and sportsmanship.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only A
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C

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Explanation:
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah embarked on a 3-day visit to
Chhattisgarh from December 13 to 15, 2024 to chair a security review meeting on Left-Wing
Extremism (LWE) in Raipur (Chhattisgarh), with likely focus on fine tuning strategies to achieve the
target of eliminating the Maoist menace by March 31 2026.
• On December 13 2024, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah presented the ‘President’s
Colour‘ to the Chhattisgarh Police in Raipur (Chhattisgarh), recognizing their exceptional
service in maintaining law and order in the state.
• The ‘President’s Colour’ is a testament to the Chhattisgarh Police’s valor, courage and
commitment.
• The Ministry of Cooperation under Amit Shah’s leadership facilitated the agreements,
focusing on strengthening the economic base of Chhattisgarh’s forest and dairy sectors.
• The first agreement is between the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and
Development) Cooperative Federation Limited (CGMFPFED) and National Cooperative
Organic Limited (NCOL), aims to certify forest produce for better market prices.
• The second agreement between the Chhattisgarh Government, Chhattisgarh State
Cooperative Dairy Federation, and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), focuses on
expanding dairy cooperatives in every village of the state.
• The project will be funded through various Central Government schemes, loans from the
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and contributions from
the State Government, ensuring a collaborative effort to strengthen the dairy sector.
• Amit Shah attended the closing ceremony of the ‘Bastar Olympics’ in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
where he praised the local athletes and the people for their spirit of unity and sportsmanship.
Click here to read more.

25. Which of the following is/are correct with respect to the Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihail Popsoi’s visit to India from 15th to 16th
December 2024?
A) Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing the ISA Framework
Agreement in an effort to promote clean energy and sustainability through the ISA platform.
B) India and Moldova signed a Declaration of Intent to boost solar growth between the two
countries.
C) India and Moldova also signed an MoU with an aim to boost cooperation and facilitate the
exchange of information on training programmes for diplomats.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only A
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C
Explanation:
Mihail Popsoi, Deputy Prime Minister(PM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, visited India
for the first time for an official visit from 15th December to 16th December 2024 at the invitation of
External Affairs Minister(EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

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 • On 15th December 2024 EAM S. Jaishankar along with Moldovan Deputy PM Mihai
Popsoi jointly inaugurated the Embassy of Moldova in New Delhi, Delhi, reflecting the
shared commitment of the two nations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992.
• Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing the ISA Framework
Agreement in an effort to promote clean energy and sustainability through the ISA platform.
• ISA is an inter-governmental treaty-based organization formed to boost solar growth and
reduce the cost of financing and technology.
• The ISA was jointly launched by India and France in 2015, in Paris on the sidelines of the 21st
Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC).
• India and Moldova signed a Declaration of Intent to establish a Migration and Mobility
Partnership between the two countries.
• India and Moldova also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an aim to boost
cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information on training programmes for diplomats.
Click here to read more.

26. In December 2024, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) signed an MoU with the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants (ACCA) to enhance _________________ in India.
1) Corporate Financial Knowledge
2) Protection of Investor Interests
3) Investor Awareness
4) Financial Education
5) Chartered Accountants
Answer- 4) Financial Education
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry
of Corporate Affairs (MCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in New Delhi, Delhi to enhance financial education across the
nation in urban and rural areas.
• The four-year partnership aims to educate young people about fundamental financial concepts
and foster a financially robust society.
• The program also known as ‘Financial Education for You (FEFY)”, is a four-year course
targeting school children in grades 6 through 9 aiming to foster financial decision-making
among young minds.
• ACCA will offer the program’s digital content at free of cost, making financial literacy accessible
to a wide range of educational institutions.
• IEPF has been established under Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956 by way of the
Companies (Amendment) Act, 1999.

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27. According to the recently (in December ‘24) released Bloomberg’s Richest Family 2024
Index, the Walton family of Walmart have secured the top spot as the world’s wealthiest family
with a net worth of____________________.
1) USD 432.4 billion
2) USD 563.9 billion
3) USD 624.8 billion
4) USD 712.3 billion
5) USD 896.7 billion
Answer- 1) USD 432.4 billion
Explanation:
According to the Bloomberg’s Richest Family 2024 Index, the Walton family of Walmart (United
States of America) have secured the top spot as the world’s wealthiest family with a net worth of USD
432.4 billion.
• The Al Nahayan Family (United Arab Emirates) secured the 2nd spot followed by the Al-
Thani Family (Qatar) gained the 3rd spot on the list.
• Amongst the Indian families, the Ambani family (USD 99.6 billion) and Mistrys of Shapoorji
Pallonji (USD 41.4 billion) family have secured spots in this global ranking at 8th and 23rd
respectively.
• The net worth of the Walmart family has surpassed the individual net worth of Elon Musk and
the combined wealth of royal families in the Middle East.
• The UAE’s Al Nahyan family led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has a wealth of
USD 323.9 billion spanning across three generations. Ruling family of the UAE Government
and Source of wealth from Oil revenues
• Qatar’s Al Thani royal family spans across eight generations and has a total net worth of USD
172.9 billion. Revenues from Oil and offshore gas fields.
• The Hermes Family, the owners of the French luxury goods business with six generations and
over 100 members, held the 4th spot with a net worth of USD 170.6 billion.
• The US based Koch family, with three generations involved in the oil industry ranked at the
5th spot with a net worth of USD 148.5 billion.
• India’s richest saw their net worths increase as the top 20 have added USD 67.3 billion since
January 2024 — with the biggest gainers being Shiv Nadar (USD 10.8 billion) and Savitri
Jindal (USD 10.1 billion). Click here to read more.

28. In December 2024, Forbes, an American global media company released the 21st annual
ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women(MPW) list. Ursula von der Leyen, President
of the European Commission(EC) has topped the list.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate
Affairs (MCA) ranked at _______ spot in the list.
1) 24th
2) 28th
3) 46th
4) 81st
5) 82nd
Answer- 2) 28th

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Explanation:
In December 2024, Forbes, an American global media company released the 21st annual ranking of
the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women(MPW) list. Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry
of Finance, MoF and Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MCA)(ranked at 28th spot) has topped among the 3
Indian women featured on the list.
• She is followed by Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies; and Kiran
Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon India Private Limited ranked
at 81st and 82nd spot on the list respectively.
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission(EC) has topped the list for the
3rd consecutive year, followed by Christine Lagarde, President of European Central Bank
(ECB); Georgia Meloni, President of Italy ranked at 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
• This latest edition of the rankings has represented women on the list into 6 main categories:
business, technology, finance, media & entertainment, politics & policy, and philanthropy.
• Forbes used 4 main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence, to determine
the rank within each category as well as overall rank on the list.
• Nirmala Sitharaman who was appointed as the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate
Affairs in 2019, became the 1st woman in India to hold these portfolios full-time and was
reappointed in 2024.
• She is currently serving as Member of Parliament (MP) in Rajya Sabha (the Upper of the
Parliament) from Karnataka constituency. Click here to read more.

29. In December 2024, the Government of India (GoI) signed a __________________ loan agreement
with the Germany-based investment and development bank KFW (formerly Kreditanstalt für
Wiederaufbau) marking the 100% financial closure for Phase 2 of the Bengaluru Metro Rail
Project.
1) Rs. 1268.36 Crore
2) Rs. 2867.81 Crore
3) Rs. 3044.54 Crore
4) Rs. 4528.63 Crore
5) Rs. 5189.57 Crore
Answer- 3) Rs. 3044.54 Crore
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Government of India (GoI) signed a Rs. 3044.54 Crore loan agreement with
the Germany-based investment and development bank KFW (formerly Kreditanstalt für
Wiederaufbau) marking the 100% financial closure for Phase 2 of the Bengaluru Metro Rail
Project.
• Additionally, a separate project agreement was also signed between the Bengaluru Metro Rail
Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and KFW Germany.
• Phase 2, covering 75.06 kilometers (km), has an approved senior debt of Rs 12,141.14 crore, of
which the GoI has already secured Rs 9,096.60 crore from Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank (AIIB), and European Investment Bank (EIB).
• The estimated cost of Phase 2 has risen from Rs 26,405 crore in 2014 to Rs 30,695 crore in
2022 and to Rs 40,614.27 crore in 2024, due to construction delays, increased land
requirements, and other factors.

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 • The Bengaluru Metro Rail Project, also known as ‘Namma Metro’, will support the GoI in
expanding the metro railway network in Bengaluru.
• The project is being developed in phases, with Phase 1 inaugurated in 2011, making it the first
underground metro system in South India.

30. Name the radar satellites that were recently (in December ‘24) launched by China to
enhance Earth observation capabilities.
1) Gaofen-12
2) Tianhui-3
3) Jilin-1
4) Yunhai-3
5) PIESAT-2
Answer- 5) PIESAT-2
Explanation:
On December 17, 2024, China successfully launched 4 Earth-observation radar satellites named
‘PIESAT-2’ aboard a Long March-2D rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi
Province, China.
• This launch marked China’s 65th space launch of 2024 and 553rd launch of the Long March
rocket series.
• The goal of the PIESAT-2 mission is to enhance China’s satellite network for efficient Earth
monitoring.
• PIESAT-2 satellites were developed by GalaxySpace (China’s unicorn company in the
commercial aerospace sector) and were equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
technology for high resolution, all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation.
• These satellites will provide essential services for monitoring land resources, natural disasters
and geological mapping.
• The Long March 2D rocket was designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
powered by liquid propellants.
• It demonstrated high efficiency in deploying multiple satellites in a single mission.

31. Which cricket team has recently (in December ‘24) won the 17th edition of the Syed
Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 by defeating Madhya Pradesh (MP) in Bengaluru, Karnataka?
1) Mumbai
2) Baroda
3) Chandigarh
4) Gujarat
5) Tamil Nadu
Answer- 1) Mumbai
Explanation:
Mumbai defeated Madhya Pradesh (MP) by 5 wickets to win the 17th edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali
Trophy (SMAT) 2024. The Cricket tournament was held from 23rd November to 15th December
2024 and the final was held at the Mangalam Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• This was Mumbai’s 2nd title at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Its first title came in 2022 when
they defeated Himachal Pradesh by 3 wickets in the final.

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 • The team of Mumbai was captained by Shreyas Iyer while the team of MP was captained by
Rajat Patidar.
• The winning team Mumbai has been awarded with Rs 5 crore as prize money while the
runners up team Madhya Pradesh has received Rs 2.5 crore as prize money.
• Mumbai is now the 4th team to win SMAT title twice before Baroda, Guajarat and Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu has won the tournament thrice.
• Shreyas Iyer has become the first captain in history to win both the Indian Premier League
(IPL) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) trophies in captain and in the same year.
• Mumbai is the most successful team in the history of Ranji Trophy, winning over 42 titles. It
also has won 14 Irani Cups.
• The 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is an annual Twenty20 cricket tournament in India
featuring all 38 teams from the Ranji Trophy.

32. In December 2024, Renowned Indian tabla player & Padma Awardee Zakir Hussain
Allaraka Qureshi passed away at the age of 73.
When did he receive the Padma Vibhushan award for his immense contribution to music?
1) 1988
2) 1996
3) 2002
4) 2018
5) 2023
Answer- 5) 2023
Explanation:
In December 2024, Renowned Indian tabla player & Padma Awardee Zakir Hussain Allaraka
Qureshi passed away at the age of 73 in California, the United States of America (USA). He was born
on March 9, 1951 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Zakir Hussain, a 4 time Grammy award winner, has received the Padma Vibhushan, the
Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri.
• Zakir Hussain was an iconic tabla virtuoso, composer, percussionist and music producer who
was celebrated for bringing classical Indian music to a global audience.
• Hussain’s remarkable career spanned across Indian classical music, film music, jazz and world
music. He was also a film actor and received widespread acclaim for his pioneering work in
world music fusion.
• Planet Drum went on to win the 1st-ever Grammy for ‘Best World Music Album’ in 1992,
setting the stage for Zakir Hussain’s global recognition.
• In February 2024, he became the 1st Indian musician to receive 3 Grammys at the “66th
Annual Grammy Awards” for ‘Best Global Music Album’, ‘Best Global Music Performance’ and
‘Best Contemporary Instrumental Album’.
• Padma Shri (1988) – He received India’s 4th highest civilian award for his exceptional
contributions to Indian music.
• Padma Bhushan (2002) – He received India’s 3rd highest civilian award for his distinguished
service in the field of art and culture.
• Padma Vibhushan (2023) – He received India’s 2nd highest civilian award in recognizing his
immense contribution to music.

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 • He won 4 Grammy Awards throughout his career, including 3 in 2024 alone. His wins were
for his collaborative works, including ‘Pashto, As We Speak, and This Moment’ with the
pioneering world fusion band Shakti.

33. Which of the following is/are correct with respect to the United Nations (UN)’s
International Migrants Day?
A) The United Nations (UN)’s International Migrants Day is annually observed across the globe
on 19th December focusing on the significant contributions migrants make to societies
worldwide.
B) The 12th edition of IOM’s flagship report ‘World Migration Report 2024’ released in May
2024 to increase understanding of global migration.
C) Global remittances grew from USD 128 billion in 2000 to USD 731 billion in 2022.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only B
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 4) Only B
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN)’s International Migrants Day is annually observed across the globe on
18th December focusing on the significant contributions migrants make to societies worldwide. It
highlights the challenges they face in achieving their full potential and emphasizes the importance of
ensuring their rights.
• 18th December 2024 marks the observance of 24th International Migrants Day.
• The theme of International Migrants Day 2024 is “Honouring the Contributions of Migrants
and Respecting Their Rights”.
• The first ever International Migrants Day was observed on 18th December 2000.
• The 12th edition of IOM’s flagship report ‘World Migration Report 2024’ released in May 2024
to increase understanding of global migration.
• The report was published by the IOM focuses on migration trends, statistics, and emerging
migration issues.
• Around 281 million international migrants were recorded globally in 2020, making up 3.6% of
the global population.
• Global remittances grew from USD 128 billion in 2000 to USD 831 billion in 2022.
• The World Migration Report 2024 notes a 650% increase in international remittances
between 2000 and 2022, emphasizing their growing importance in global financial flows. Click
here to read more.

34. Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi recently (in December ‘24) inaugurated and
laid the foundation stone for 24 projects worth over ________ during his participation in the “Ek
Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh”at Jaipur, Rajasthan.
1) Rs 36,300 crores
2) Rs 46,300 crores
3) Rs 56,300 crores
4) Rs 66,300 crores

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5) Rs 76,300 crores
Answer- 2) Rs 46,300 crores
Explanation:
On December 17 2024, PM Narendra Modi participated in the “Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh”
programme commemorating the completion of one year of the Rajasthan government in Jaipur,
Rajasthan.
i.During his visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 24 projects related to Energy, Road,
Railways and Water worth over Rs 46,300 crores at Jaipur, Rajasthan.
ii.PM Modi inaugurated 9 projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore including 7 central government led
projects and 2 state government projects.
iii.He also laid the foundation stone for15 projects worth more than 35,300 crore including 9 central
government projects and 6 state government projects.
iv.During the event, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Modified Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal
Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (MPKC-ERCP).
v.The MPKC-ERCP project has been designated as a ‘national project’ by the Government of India
(GoI).
• The total cost of the project will be shared between the GoI and the state governments of MP
and Rajasthan in the ratio of 90:10, respectively.
vi..The project will provide water for both irrigation and drinking purposes to 21 districts of
Rajasthan and will boost the development of both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (MP).
vii.The project will interlink major rivers like Chambal, Parvati, Kalisindh, Kuno, Banas, Banganga,
Ruparail, Gambhiri, and Mej. Click here to read more

35.Which of the following points is/are ‘Correct’ with respect to the Union Cabinet chaired by
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi recently (in December ‘24) approved two important
constitutional amendment bills regarding One Nation, One Election (ONOE).
A) The 1st bill named the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 will enable the terms of
the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to be synchronized.
B) The Second bill named The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to align
elections in the Union Territories (UTs) of Puducherry, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)
with Lok Sabha elections.
C) In September 2023, the Government of India (GoI) constituted the High-Level Committee on
Simultaneous Elections under the chairmanship of former President of India Pranab
Mukherjee.
1) Only A and B
2) Only A and C
3) Only B
4) All A, B and C
5) Only B and C
Answer- 1) Only A and B
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved two
important constitution amendment bills regarding One Nation, One Election (ONOE), which aimed
to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha elections with state legislative assemblies and local bodies across
the country in a phased manner.

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i.The 1st bill named the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 will enable the terms of the
Lok Sabha and state assemblies to be synchronized.
ii.The Second bill named The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to align
elections in the Union Territories (UTs) of Puducherry, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with Lok
Sabha elections.
iii.In September 2023, the Government of India (GoI) constituted the High-Level Committee on
Simultaneous Elections under the chairmanship of former President of India Ram Nath Kovind.
iv.It has recommended creating a unified Electoral Roll and Single EPIC for all 3-tiers of government.
v.It has suggested of introducing amendments to Article 82A and 324A of the Indian Constitution to
enable simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies. Click here to read
more

36.Which of the following points is/are 'Not Correct' with respect to the recent (in December
‘24) launch of the ‘Jalvahak‘ scheme by the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of
Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), to induce cargo movement via inland waterways?
A) The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme operates across 3 national waterways Ganga River, Brahmaputra
River and Chenab River
B) The Jalvahak scheme is jointly implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India
(IWAI) and Inland & Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation
of India Limited (SCIL).
C) The newly launched Cargo ships are MV Trishul, MV Aai, and MV Homi Bhaba
1) Only A
2) Only B and C
3) Only B
4) Only C
5) All A, B, and C
Answer- 1) Only A
Explanation:
In December 2024, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
(MoPSW), launched the ‘Jalvahak‘ scheme to induce the cargo movement via inland waterways.
i.He also flagged off Cargo ships “MV Aai, MV Homi Bhaba along with MV Trishul with 2 dumb
barges Ajay and Dikhu” from the GR Jetty in Kolkata,West Bengal (WB).This marks the
commencement of a fixed scheduled service of cargo vessel ships from Haldia,WB for national
waterways 1 and 2 (NW-1 and NW-2).
ii.The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme aims to revitalize India’s inland waterways, reduce transport congestion and
make cargo movement more efficient. The scheme operates across 3 national waterways:
• National Waterway 1 (NW1): Ganga River
• National Waterway 2 (NW2): Brahmaputra River
• National Waterway 16 (NW16): Barak River
iii.This scheme is jointly implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Inland
& Coastal Shipping Limited (ICSL), a subsidiary of the Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCIL).
Click here to read more

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37. What is the total gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow into India since April 2000,
as per the data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT) in December 2024?
1) USD 800 billion
2) USD 1.5 trillion
3) USD 1 trillion
4) USD 900 billion
5) USD 1.3 trillion
Answer- 3) USD 1 trillion
Explanation:
As per data released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in
December 2024 ,India reached a significant economic milestone with gross Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) inflows totaling USD 1 trillion since April 2000.
• In the first half of the current Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), FDI increased by about 26% to
USD 42.1 billion.
• FDI inflows totaled USD 709.84 billion over the last ten years (April 2014 to September 2024),
which represents 68.69% of all FDI inflows over the past 24 years.
• The government’s flagship initiative, “Make in India,” along with liberalized sectoral policies
and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has strengthened investments in India.
i.Mauritius topped FDI inflows at 25%, followed by Singapore in second place with 24%. The US
ranked third at 10%, while the Netherlands (7%), Japan (6%), and the UK (5%) also made significant
contributions.
India rose to 40th in the World Competitive Index 2024, improving from 43rd in 2021.
• In the Global Innovation Index 2023, India ranked 40th out of 132 economies, securing 48th
position among the top 50 most innovative countries.
ii.India was the 3rd largest recipient of greenfield projects, with 1,008 announcements, according
to the World Investment Report 2023.

38. Who was honored with the 2024 Jamsetji Tata award by the Indian Society for Quality (ISQ)
at the ISQ Annual Conference 2024 recently held (in December ‘24) in Bengaluru, Karnataka?
1) Narayana Murthy
2) Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
3) Ratan Tata
4) Sundar Pichai
5) Satya Nadella
Answer- 2) Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Explanation:
In December 2024, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon Group, was conferred the 2024
Jamsetji Tata award by the Indian Society for Quality (ISQ) at ISQ Annual Conference 2024 held in
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
i.This award was presented to her for being a pioneer in the bioscience movement in India since 1978,
a first-generation entrepreneur to establish Biocon Limited and associated companies to serve
customers in India and across the world.
ii.She received the award from Janak Kumar Mehta, President of ISQ and Chairman and Managing
Director (CMD), TQM International.

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iii.She has been awarded with two of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri in 1989 and the
Padma Bhushan in 2005.
iv.She was honoured with the Othmer Gold Medal by the U.S.-based Chemical Heritage Foundation in
2014.
v.The Jamsetji Tata Award was instituted in 2004 by ISQ. It honors business leaders who made
significant contributions to Indian society.
vi.This award is named after Jamsetji Tata, who is known as the ‘Father of Modern Indian
Industry’.

39. Former Manchester City footballer ‘Mikheil Kavelashvili’ was appointed as the 6th
President of ____________, set to assume office on 29th December 2024, after incumbent President
Salome Zourabichvili.
1) Armenia
2) Azerbaijan
3) Georgia
4) Ukraine
5) Kazakhstan
Answer- 3) Georgia
Explanation:
Former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili was appointed as the 6th President of
Georgia. He will assume office on December 29 2024 and will replace incumbent President Salome
Zourabichvili.
• Mikheil Kavelashvili was nominated by the Georgian Dream party and won the presidential
election with 224 votes out of 300 votes.
i.Mikheil Kavelashvili is a Georgian politician and former professional footballer, known for his career
as a striker.
ii.He played in the English Premier League for Manchester City and in the Swiss Super League for
several clubs, including Dinamo Tbilisi and Spartak Vladikavkaz.
iii.In 2022, he co-founded the People’s Power party, a satellite faction of Georgian Dream Party.
iv.In the 2024 parliamentary election, he was elected for the 3rd time, representing the party list of
Georgian Dream Party, with which People’s Power had aligned.

40. Who was recently appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) of SBI for three years, with
effect from December 18, 2024?
1) Rajnish Kumar
2) Rama Mohan Rao Amara
3) Virat Sunil Diwanji
4) Ashok Chandra
5) Krishnan Venkat Subramanian
Answer- 2) Rama Mohan Rao Amara
Explanation:
The Government of India (GoI) appointed Rama Mohan Rao Amara, Deputy Managing Director
(DMD) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of the State Bank of India (SBI) as the new Managing Director
(MD) of SBI for the three years with effect from 18 December 2024.

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i.The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by
Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi, followed by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB)
recommendation.
ii.He succeeds Challa Sreeivasulu Setty, who has been appointed as the chairman of SBI in October
2024.
iii.Rama Mohan will serve as the 4th MD of SBI, alongside Ashwini Kumar Tewari, Vinay M Tonse, and
Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh.
iv.He started his banking career with SBI in 1991 as a Probationary Officer(PO) and is a Certified
Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).
v.He served as the Chief General Manager(GM) of the SBI, Bhopal Circle, overseeing operations in the
states of Madhya Pradesh(MP) and Chhattisgarh.
vi.In January 2021, he was appointed as the MD & CEO of SBI Card, and held this position until August
2023.

41. Which bank recently (in December ‘24) has reappointed R Subramaniakumar as its
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a period of three years from
23rd June 2025 to 22nd June 2028?
1) HDFC Bank
2) ICICI Bank
3) RBL Bank Limited
4) Axis Bank
5) Yes Bank
Answer- 3) RBL Bank Limited
Explanation:
RBL Bank Limited’s board of directors has reappointed R Subramaniakumar, the current Managing
Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank for a period of three years from 23rd June
2025 to 22nd June 2028.
• Initially he was appointed as MD and CEO of RBL Bank for a period of three years in June 2022.
His current term was to end on 22nd June 2025.
However, the reappointment is subject to approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Under Section
35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1935, the bank will apply to the RBI for the approval of
reappointing Subramaniakumar as MD and CEO for an additional three years.
i.R Subramaniakumar is a veteran in the banking industry with over 40 years of experience.
ii.He began his career with Punjab National Bank (PNB) in 1980.
iii.Prior to joining RBL Bank, he served as the administrator of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation
Limited (DHFL), the first non-banking finance company to be referred to the National Company Law
Tribunal (NCLT) for resolution.
iv.He was appointed as the MD and CEO of RBL Bank when the RBI added an additional director to the
bank’s board and sent former MD and CEO Vishwavir Ahuja on leave due to concerns about the bank’s
financial stability.
v.He has held various leadership roles through the course of his career at PNB, including being the
Director of DRUKPNB, Bhutan.

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42. Recently (in December '24), Team Asia, including India’s Manika Batra led by Ma Long,
defeated Team World led by Truls Moregardh to win the inaugural edition of the 'Waldner Cup
2024' held at ____________?
1) Sweden
2) Norway
3) Germany
4) Denmark
5) Finland
Answer- 2) Norway
Explanation:
On December 16 2024, Team Asia comprising India’s Manika Batra, led by Ma Long won the 1st-ever
inaugural edition of the ‘Waldner Cup 2024’ by defeating Team World 14-10 in Oslo, Norway.
• The tournament was held from December 13 to 15, 2024 and was organized by Jan Ove
Waldner, the famous Swedish table tennis player and 1992 Olympic gold medallist.
i.Team Asia comprised China’s Ma Long, a 6 time Olympic Gold medallist, Chen Meng(China), the Paris
2024 women’s singles champion, South Korea’s Shin Yubin (2 time Olympic bronze medallist),
Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gerassimenko and India’s Manika Batra.
ii.Team World led Sweden’s Paris 2024 men’s singles silver medallist Truls Moregardh and 6 time
Olympic medallist Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany led 10-8 on the 2nd day, but Team Asia made a
strong comeback, winning the last 3 matches to take the match 14-10.
iii.Ma Long won the final match against Truls Moregardh, securing the victory for Team Asia.
iv.Manika Batra who ranked 25th in women’s singles, played two matches in the tournament.
v.The Waldner Cup was a two-day event. Each team had male and female players compete in singles,
doubles and mixed doubles matches.

43. The Union Minister of State (MoS) Raksha Khadse, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
(MYAS) has recently (in December ‘24) unveiled the Mascot, Logo, Anthem, Jersey, Torch, and
Tagline for the 38th National Games.
Which of the following is/are ‘Correct’ with respect to the event?
A) 38th National Games is scheduled to take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in
Dehradun, Uttarakhand
B) The mascot for the 38th National Games is named ‘Mauli,’ inspired by the Himalayan Monal,
Uttarakhand’s state bird.
C) Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha announced that ‘yoga’ and ‘mallakhamb’ will
be included as demonstration sports in the National Games.
1) Only A and B
2) Only B and C
3) Only C
4) All A, B, and C
5) Only A and C
Answer- 4) All A, B, and C
Explanation:
In December 2024, Union Minister of State(MoS) Raksha Khadse, Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports(MYAS), unveiled the Mascot, Logo, Anthem, Jersey, Torch and Tagline for the 38th

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National Games at an event held at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun(Uttarakhand). It
aims to promote sports culture, enhance infrastructure and motivate young athletes.
i.The 38th National Games is scheduled to take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in
Dehradun, Uttarakhand from January 28 to February 14, 2025 with over 10,000 athletes competing in
38 sports.
ii.Mascot :The mascot for the 38th National Games is named ‘Mauli,’ inspired by the Himalayan Monal,
Uttarakhand’s state bird.
iii.Logo: The logo featuring ‘the Monal’, symbolizes the state’s rich natural beauty and diversity.
iv.The mascot and logo aim to inspire young athletes and highlight Uttarakhand’s unique identity.
v.Tagline: The official tagline of the 38thNational Games, titled ‘Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak’ (From
Resolve to Zenith), was launched at the event.
• The tagline reflects the spirit of perseverance & determination required to achieve great
heights.
vi.Jersey :A special jersey was unveiled for the 38th National Games, designed to represent the state
and national spirit.
vi.Torch: The newly designed torch incorporates motifs of the perennial holy river Ganga and the state
flower, Brahma Kamal, also known as the “Lotus of the Darks”.
• The 38th National Games torch was lit during the event and will travel across Uttarakhand,
promoting unity and sportsmanship.
vii.Inclusion of Yoga and Mallakhamb: IOA President PT Usha announced that ‘yoga’ and
‘mallakhamb’ will be included as demonstration sports in the National Games.
• These traditional sports aim to highlight the cultural heritage of India and provide a platform
for showcasing indigenous athletic practices.
viiiThe state has allocated Rs 500 crore for infrastructure development, including new sports
facilities and renovation of existing stadiums.

44.Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) for electronic-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWR)

based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF) by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD) and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
(MoN&RE) in December 2024?
A) The scheme aims to provide Rs 1,000 crore corpus to support post-harvest financing for
farmers.
B) Under this scheme, loans up to Rs 50 lakh and Rs 200 lakhs (Rs 2 crore) will be provided for
agricultural and non-agricultural purposes, respectively.
C) As per the scheme, farmers can access credit by depositing their produce stored in
Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) accredited warehouses, backed
by e-NWRs.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C

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Explanation:
On December 16 2024, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution (MoCAF&PD) and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MoN&RE), launched the Credit
Guarantee Scheme(CGS) for electronic-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWR) based Pledge
Financing (CGS-NPF) in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The scheme aims to provide Rs 1,000 crore corpus to support post-harvest financing for
farmers.
• As per the scheme, farmers can access credit by depositing their produce stored in
Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) accredited warehouses, backed
by e-NWRs.
• Under this scheme, loans up to Rs 75 lakh and Rs 200 lakhs (Rs 2 crore) will be provided for
agricultural and non-agricultural purposes, respectively.
• It offers a guarantee fee of 0.4% per annum (p.a.) for farmers and 1% for non-farmers.
• The scheme provides guarantee coverage for: 85% of loans up to 3 lakh and 80% for loans
between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 75 lakh for small and marginal farmers/women/ SC/ST/PwD and
75% for other borrowers.
• The scheme will boost the post-harvest lending to Rs 5.5 lakh crore in the next 10 years. Click
here to read more.

45. In December 2024, the World Bank (WB) approved a ___________________ loan for the Uttar
Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening (UP-AGREES)
Project to enhance crop productivity and farmers’ incomes in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
1) USD 175.30 million
2) USD 258.39 million
3) USD 283.45 million
4) USD 325.10 million
5) USD 396.56 million
Answer- 4) USD 325.10 million
Explanation:
In December 2024, the World Bank (WB) approved a USD 325.10 million loan for the Uttar Pradesh
Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening (UP-AGREES) Project, which aims
to enhance crop productivity and farmers’ incomes in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provided the USD
325.10 million loan with a 33.5-year maturity and a 6-year grace period.
• The project also seeks to attract USD 15 million in private finance to support this initiative.
• In the past 10 years, Uttar Pradesh has become a key player in Indian agriculture, leading
in wheat production, second in rice, and third in agricultural exports. However, small
farmers still face low productivity and poor post-harvest infrastructure.
• The project focuses on strengthening agricultural value chains and improving access to
credit through the eKisan Credit Card (eKCC) to enhance value-added opportunities.
• The project will help establish an Integrated Agri-Export Hub near Jewar Airport in
Greater Noida to boost connections with international markets.

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46. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the winners of the Sahitya
Akademi Awards 2024 announced by Sahitya Akademi, under the Ministry of Culture in
December 2024?
A) Sahitya Akademi announced the winners of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024 in 24 Indian
languages (including English).
B) The award consists of a casket with an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of
Rs. 1 lakh.
C) Aron Raja's book Swrni Thakhai written in Bodo language won the Sahitya Akademi Award
2024 in the novel category.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
On December 18 2024, the Sahitya Akademi, under the Ministry of Culture announced the winners of
the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024 in 21 Indian languages (including English). The award winners
were selected based on recommendations made by a Jury of three members in the concerned
languages.
• The awards for Bengali, Dogri and Urdu language will be announced at a later date.
• The award ceremony will be held on International Women’s Day, March 8 2025 at Kamani
Auditorium, New Delhi (Delhi).
• The winners of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024 include 8 books of Poetry, 3 Novels, 2 short
stories, 3 Essays, 3 Literary Criticism, 1 Play and 1 Research.
• Aron Raja's book Swrni Thakhai written in Bodo language won the Sahitya Akademi Award
2024 in the novel category.
• The award consists of a casket with an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of
Rs. 1 lakh.
• The Sahitya Akademi Award is the 2nd-highest literary honor in India, following the Jnanpith
Award.
• The award was established by the Government of India (GoI) in 1954, the Sahitya Akademi is
India’s National Academy of Letters.
• The Akademi works to preserve and promote literature in 24 Indian languages (including the
22 languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, along with English and
Rajasthani) through awards, fellowships, grants, publications, and other initiatives. Click here
to read more.

47. In December 2024, Hurun India in partnership with IDFC First Bank Limited released the
2nd edition of ‘India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millenia 2024’.
Who among the following is ‘not’ in the top 5 of the list?
1) Radhakishan Shivkishan Damani
2) Deepinder Goyal
3) Sriharsha Majety
4) Abhay Soi

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5) Harshil Mathur
Answer- 5) Harshil Mathur
Explanation:
On December 18 2024, Hurun India in partnership with IDFC First Bank Limited released the 2nd
edition of ‘India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millenia 2024’. As per the report,
Radhakishan Shivkishan Damani, the founder of Avenue Supermarts Limited (DMart) has topped
the list for 2nd consecutive year, with a valuation of Rs 3.4 lakh crore, witnessing a growth of 44%.
• Deepinder Goyal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zomato Media Private Limited is ranked at
2nd position (up from 3rd spot in 2023) and his net worth has significantly increased by 190%,
to over Rs 2.5 lakh crore.
• He is followed by Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddy, founders of Swiggy Private Limited
(India’s leading food delivery company) secured the 3rd spot on the list with net worth of Rs
1.01 lakh crore.
• Deep Kalra, Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip Limited and Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder
and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MakeMyTrip Limited, secured the 4th spot on the
list with net worth of Rs 99,300.
• Abhay Soi, Chairman & Managing Director of Max Healthcare Institute Limited secured the 5th
spot on the list with net worth of Rs 78,600.
• The combined valuation of companies on the list is Rs 36 lakh crores (USD 431 billion),
marking an increase of 20% compared to 2023.
• As per the report, Kaivalya Vohra (22 year-old), co-founder of Zepto, has been again named
as India’s youngest self-made entrepreneur.
• Falguni Nayar (ranked at 10th spot), the founder and CEO of Nykaa, has topped among all the
Indian women entrepreneurs featured on the list, with a total valuation of Rs 56,600 crore
(30% increase compared to last year). Click here to read more.

48. Who has been recently (in December ‘24) appointed as the Chairman of the Economic
Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) with an additional charge?
1) Suman Berry
2) Bibek Debroy
3) Sanjeev Sanyal
4) Shamika Ravi
5) B.V.R. Subramanyam
Answer- 1) Suman Berry
Explanation:
The Vice Chairman (VC) of the National Institute for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Suman Berry
was appointed as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)
with an additional charge.
• He succeeded Bibek Debroy, who passed away on 1st November 2024.
• Before being appointed as Vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, held roles as a Global Fellow at the
Asia Programme of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWICS) in
Washington D.C., the United States of America (USA).
• He had previously worked as the Director General (DG) of the National Council of Applied
Economic Research (NCAER) in New Delhi, Delhi.

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 • EAC-PM is an independent body set up to provide advice on economic and related matters to
the Government of India, especially to the Prime Minister.

49. In December 2024, the Indian Navy (IN) commissioned the Indian Naval Ship (INS)
Nirdeshak (YARD 3026), the second of four Survey Vessel (large) SVL project in
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
Which company has built the INS Nirdeshak and ships under SVL project?
1) Cochin Shipyard Limited
2) Goa Shipyard Limited
3) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
4) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
5) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
Answer- 5) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
Explanation:
On 18th December 2024, the Indian Navy (IN) commissioned the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nirdeshak
(YARD 3026), the second of four Survey Vessel (large) SVL project at the Naval Dockyard,
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP), in a ceremony led by the Union Minister of State Sanjay Seth,
Ministry of Defence (MoD)
• The SVL Project includes four ships, Sandhayak, Nirdeshak, Ikshak, and Sanshodhak. It
aims to upgrade the IN’s hydrographic survey fleet by replacing the older Sandhayak-class
ships, which were inducted into IN on 5th December 2021.
• Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern
Naval Command (FOC-in-C ENC), hosted the ceremony to officially induct the second of the
four SVL ships being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, West
Bengal (WB).
• Built with over 80% indigenous material, it has been inducted to enhance hydrographic
surveys, navigation, and maritime safety using advanced technologies like Multi-Beam Echo
Sounders (MBES), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater
Vehicles (AUV).

50. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to Ravichandran Ashwin’s
retirement from International cricket in December 2024?
A) He is India’s 2nd-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 537 wickets in 106 matches. After
representing India in 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is and picking up 765 wickets across
formats.
B) He received ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2016 for his consistency and brilliance on the
field.
C) He received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest sports honours for his exceptional
contribution to cricket in 2015.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B

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Explanation:
On December 18 2024, Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s premier off-spinner announced his retirement
from International cricket ending a remarkable 14 year career at the top level across formats. He is
India’s 2nd-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 537 wickets in 106 matches.
• The announcement was made in the post match press conference following the third Test of
the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
• After representing India in 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is and picking up 765 wickets
across formats.
• He retires as the 2nd highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, with 537 wickets.
• He was the 1st bowler to take 100 wickets in the World Test Championship, achieving this
milestone in March 2022.
• He became the 2nd-fastest bowler to reach 500 Test wickets, achieving the milestone in 98
games in February 2024.
• He has won 11 ‘Player of the Series’ awards in Test cricket, the most by any Indian player.
• ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year (2016): Received the award, a testament to his consistency
and brilliance on the field. Also, ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year (2016)
• Arjuna Award (2015): One of India’s highest sports honours, for his exceptional contribution
to cricket.
• CEAT International Cricketer of the Year (2016-17): Received the first International Cricket
Rating System award in recognition of his outstanding performances across formats. Click here
to read more.

STATIC GK

51. Which company has recently (in December ‘24) launched Willow, its latest quantum chip
showcasing significant advancements in quantum computing?
1) Google
2) Amazon
3) Apple
4) Facebook
5) Microsoft
Answer- 1) Google
Explanation:
Google has unveiled its latest quantum chip, Willow, marking a significant breakthrough in quantum
computing. This chip was developed at the quantum lab of the company in Santa Barbara, California.
• The power of the chip can be understood by its capability to solve complex mathematical
problems in only five minutes which will take 10 septillion years for supercomputers to solve.
• This advancement paves the way for practical applications in various fields, including drug
discovery and clean energy.

52. Where was the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav festival held from 6 to 8 December 2024?
1) New Delhi, Delhi
2) Aizawl, Mizoram
3) Kaziranga, Assam
4) Kohima, Nagaland

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5) Shillong, Meghalaya
Answer- 1) New Delhi, Delhi
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in New Delhi, Delhi
with a focus on the Northeastern States. Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is a celebration of a better future for
the Northeast.
• Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is a three-day cultural festival, being celebrated for the first time from
December 6 to 8 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
• It highlights the vast cultural tapestry of Northeast India, bringing together an array of
traditional arts, crafts, and cultural practices.

53. Who has recently (in December ‘24) named the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) Most
Valuable Player?
1) Lionel Messi
2) Hany Mukhtar
3) Luciano Acosta
4) Ian Murphy
5) Carles Gil
Answer- 1) Lionel Messi
Explanation:
Lionel Messi was named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player in the Major Soccer
League (MLS) at the end of what was his first full season with Inter Miami.
• He scored 20 goals and chipped in 16 assists in 19 league matches in his first full season,
helping the south Florida club win the 2024 Supporters' Shield trophy with a record 74 points.

54. Which documentary has recently (in December ‘24) won the 2024 Asian Academy Creative
Awards in Singapore?
1) Apartment 404
2) Deane’s Dynasty
3) The Hunt for Veerappan
4) Master or Guest
5) An Exchange on China
Answer- 3) The Hunt for Veerappan
Explanation:
Netflix India’s documentary The Hunt for Veerappan bagged a win at the 2024 Asian Academy
Creative Awards in Singapore. First-time docu director Selvamani Selvaraj secured the award for
Best Direction (Non-Fiction) for the film, marking a huge achievement for the film and the nation.
• The Hunt for Veerappan is produced by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan, founders of
Awedacious Originals, and Kimberley Hassett.
• The four-part series, released in 2023, delves into the 17-year manhunt for the notorious
smuggler and brigand Veerappan, who was shot dead in 2004 by a Special Task Force of Tamil
Nadu Police.

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55. In December 2024, Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) spotted far
ultraviolet (FUV) emissions from novae for the first time in the _____________________.
1) Andromeda Galaxy
2) Triangulum Galaxy
3) Barnard's Galaxy
4) Whirlpool Galaxy
5) Milky Way Galaxy
Answer- 1) Andromeda Galaxy
Explanation:
Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, have detected ultraviolet
emissions from 42 novae for the first time in the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy.
• The ultraviolet emissions from novae are a special class of transient astronomical event that
causes the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently new star that slowly fades over weeks or
months, during their outburst.
• Astronomers identified far-ultraviolet emissions from novae in the Andromeda Galaxy, the
closest neighbour to the Milky Way. Novae are transient astronomical events where a star
rapidly brightens and gradually fades.

56.In which state Lonar Lake is located?

1) Maharashtra
2) Madhya Pradesh
3) Rajasthan
4) Gujarat
5) Karnataka
Answer: 1) Maharashtra
Explanation:
In December 2024, Maharashtra prepared a proposal to nominate “Lonar Lake”, a unique meteor-
impact site and cultural landmark, for UNESCO World Heritage status to promote its conservation,
attract tourism, and gain global recognition.

57. Where is the Buddhist pilgrimage site “Lumbini” located?

1) India
2) Sri Lanka
3) Bhutan
4) Bangladesh
5) Nepal
Answer: 5) Nepal
Explanation:
In December 2024, Lumbini, the revered birthplace of Lord Buddha, hosted the second edition of the
India-Nepal Cultural Festival. The event celebrated the cultural heritage shared by India and Nepal,
focusing on their Buddhist traditions. Organized by the Indian Embassy in Nepal in partnership with
the Lumbini Development Trust, the festival highlighted the long-standing historical and spiritual ties
between the two countries.

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58. Which country has recently (in December ‘24) chosen as the host for the first ever Women's
T20 World Cup for the Blind 2025?
1) India
2) Sri Lanka
3) Afghanistan
4) Pakistan
5) Bangladesh
Answer- 1) India
Explanation:
In December 2024, India was chosen as the host for the first ever Women's T20 World Cup for the
Blind scheduled in 2025. It was finalised at the World Blind Cricket Council’s (WBCC) Annual General
Meeting in Multan, Pakistan.
• Pakistan will play its share of matches in next year's inaugural blind women's T20 World Cup
in either Nepal or Sri Lanka after a hybrid model for the event.
• The development comes a few weeks after India withdrew from the men's T20 Blind Cricket
World Cup in Pakistan owing to security concerns.

59. Who has recently (in December ‘24) hit the record for joint-fastest fifty in the history of
women’s Twenty20 International (T20Is)?
1) Mithali Raj
2) Richa Ghosh
3) Sophie Devine
4) Harmanpreet Kaur
5) Smriti Mandhana
Answer- 2) Richa Ghosh
Explanation:
Richa Ghosh equalled the record for the fastest-ever half century in women’s Twenty20
International (T20Is), smashing a 18-ball fifty against West Indies in the third and final match of the
series in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is also the quickest fifty scored by an Indian women’s batter in
the shortest format.
• Her knock, and Smriti Mandhana’s half century earlier, powered India to their highest total
ever in women’s T20Is: 217/4. India’s previous best total was 201/5 against UAE at the Asia
Cup in July 2024.

60. Which organization has recently (in December ‘24) partnered with Angkor Tiger Football
Club to build a new football stadium in Siem Reap, Cambodia?
1) Asian Football Confederation
2) JSW Sports Private Limited
3) All India Football Federation
4) SkaSports Investments Private Limited
5) Fédération Internationale de Football Association
Answer- 4) SkaSports Investments Private Limited
Explanation:
A new football stadium with an Indian connection has opened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which is
famous for Angkor Wat, UNESCO World Heritage site. SkaSports Investments Private Limited, an

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Indian-owned sports business, has partnered with Angkor Tiger Football Club, a Cambodian
Premier League team to build the privately-owned, football-specific stadium with floodlights.
• The stadium aims to work with the Cambodian Football Association and Premier League on
educational courses in an effort to promote football development in Cambodia.

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 Current Affairs Top 60 Q&A PDF – December 2024 4th Week
(24 - 31)
1. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) and which bank has recently (in December ‘24) entered into
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide startups with world-class banking and
financial services?
1) Axis Bank Limited
2) HDFC Bank Limited
3) Bandhan Bank Limited
4) Federal Bank Limited
5) City Union Bank Limited
Answer- 2) HDFC Bank Limited
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Mumbai(Maharashtra) based HDFC Bank Limited, India’s largest private sector bank by assets,
to provide startups with world-class banking and financial services.
• The partnership aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem by providing mentorship,
knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building programs to encourage innovation and growth.
• Startups will receive personalized banking and financial products to meet their needs, like
working capital, credit, and cash flow management.
• They will also benefit from HDFC Bank’s vast network and resources, which will support their
growth, investment attraction, and market presence expansion.
• The DPIIT also signed an MoU with Tally Solutions Private Limited, a software company
based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to digitally empower startups in the manufacturing sector.
• This partnership aims to introduce a series of workshops with modules designed to help
startups tackle key challenges in financial management, compliance, marketing, digitization,
and investment readiness.
• Tally Solutions will provide practical training, case studies, and expert sessions to help startups
improve operations, adopt scalable practices, and prepare for long-term growth. Click here to
read more.

2. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Asian Development Bank
(ADB’s) loan to India in December 2024?
A) Government of India (GoI) and ADB signed a USD 350 million policy-based loan agreement
under the second subprogramme of Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics
Ecosystem (SMILE) programme to improve and modernize India’s logistics sector.
B) The loan agreement was formalised with the involvement of the Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF); Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) and ADB.
C) The Maharashtra government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ADB
for financial assistance of Rs 1,527 crore (USD 200 million) for Phase I of the Nagpur Metro
project.

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1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Government of India (GoI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a
USD 350 million policy-based loan agreement under the second subprogramme of Strengthening
Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) programme to improve and modernize
India’s logistics sector.
• The loan agreement was formalised with the involvement of the Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF); Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoC&I) and the ADB.
• SMILE program is a Programmatic policy-Based Loan (PBL), which comprises two
subprograms and aims to expand India’s manufacturing sector and improve the resilience of
its supply chains.
• The program develops a strong policy framework to enhance logistics efficiency by
strengthening institutional support for multimodal infrastructure development at national,
state, and city levels.
• The Maharashtra government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ADB
for financial assistance of Rs 1,527 crore(USD 200 million) for Phase II of the Nagpur Metro
project.
• ADB and the European Investment Bank (EIB) would provide a total of Rs 3,586 crore for the
Nagpur Metro Rail Project Phase-II. Of the total funding, the ADB will provide Rs 1,527 crore.
• The loan amount will be made available to MahaMetro through the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

3. In December 2024, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of
Labour and Employment, Government of India, has bagged four awards at the Regional Social
Security Forum for Asia and Pacific (RSSF Asia-Pacific) in __________________.
1) Tokyo, Japan
2) Bangkok, Thailand
3) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
4) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Answer- 3) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Explanation:
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), statutory social security body under the Ministry
of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has bagged four awards at the Regional Social
Security Forum for Asia and Pacific (RSSF Asia-Pacific) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• The RSSF Asia-Pacific was organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
• ESIC has been awarded one certificate of merit with special mention from the jury for its
mobile application (Ask An Appointment – AAA+) and three certificates of merit for
Occupational Accident and Disease, Sustainable Investment and System Resilience.

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 • The ESIC ‘Ask an Appointment’ (AAA+) mobile app, available on both Android and iOS,
caters to insured individuals, beneficiaries, staff, and ESI pensioners. It supports 8
languages, including English, Hindi, and six regional languages.

4. For which mission, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently (in December
‘24) commenced the launch campaign of Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3-
G1)/Orbital Module (OM-1) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP)?
1) Chandrayaan-1
2) Gaganyaan-G2
3) Chandrayaan-3
4) Gaganyaan-G1
5) Vikram-1
Answer- 4) Gaganyaan-G1
Explanation:
On December 18 2024, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) commenced the launch campaign
of Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3-G1)/Orbital Module (OM-1) for the Gaganyaan-G1
uncrewed mission at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
The mission aims to achieve the country’s 1st crewed spaceflight and the launch began with the
integration of the S200 motor segments.
• The mission’s preparation includes assembling control systems, avionics and Crew Escape
System elements at SDSC and the integration of the Crew Module at Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre (VSSC), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The launch campaign of the HLVM3-G1 also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the
Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3-X/CARE) which took place on December 18, 2014.
• HLVM3, a modified version of the LVM3 was designed with enhanced reliability and safety
features for human spaceflight.
• The Orbital Module (OM) level integration and tests will take place subsequently at U R Rao
Satellite Centre (URSC), formerly known as ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• HLVM3 is a large, three-stage launch vehicle with a height of 53 meters (m) and a weight of
640 tonnes (t).
• It has the capability to carry payloads of up to 10 tonnes into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• The system is engineered to operate under the most extreme conditions of human
spaceflight, providing reliable performance during the mission.
• The name Gaganyaan has its roots in Sanskrit translating to ‘sky and vehicle’ and the primary
objective of this mission is to launch a team of astronauts into space, where they will travel at
an altitude of 400 km above Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a three-day expedition before
returning by landing in the Indian Ocean.

5. Name the initiative that was recently (in December ‘24) launched by the European Union
(EU) aimed at deploying a network of 290 satellites in low and medium Earth orbits.
1) Galileo
2) Copernicus
3) Resilient Satellite
4) European Space Agency Advanced Remote Telemetry
5) Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite

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Answer- 5) Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite
Explanation:
On December 19 2024, the European Union(EU) introduced the Euro 10 billion (USD 11 billion)
‘Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite(IRIS²) space program’
initiative, aimed at deploying a network of 290 satellites in low and medium Earth orbits. The project
was developed with the collaboration of Space Consortium for a Resilient, Interconnected and Secure
Europe (SpaceRISE).
• The constellation will comprise of 264 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 18 Medium Earth Orbit
(MEO) satellites and is expected to be in service in 2030.
• The full deployment of the satellite network is expected to unfold over a 12-year period.
• Under the agreement with SpaceRISE, the project will receive euro 6.5 billion in public
funding, which covers nearly 60% of the total costs.
• IRIS² represents the EU’s third major satellite initiative, following Galileo and Copernicus.
• The IRIS² satellites will operate in MEO and LEO, covering Europe and surrounding regions to
ensure comprehensive communication and surveillance capabilities.
• The satellites will be a mix of high- and low-powered systems, providing the equivalent
capability of 1,000 satellites, similar to Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by
Starlink Services, LLC.

6. Name the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) that was recently (in December ‘24) test-
fired by the United States (US) Army and US Navy in Florida, United States of America (USA).
1) Falcon Strike
2) BrahMos-II
3) Dark Eagle
4) Phantom Spear
5) Hypersonic Blade
Answer- 3) Dark Eagle
Explanation:
In December 2024, the United States (US) Army, in collaboration with the US Navy, successfully test-
fired its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as ‘Dark Eagle’ at Cape Canaveral
Space Force Station in Florida, United States of America (USA). The launch was the 2nd successful
end-to-end flight of the weapon’s All Up Round (AUR) in 2024 using the LRHW’s trailer based
launcher system.
• This event was the 1st live-fire demonstration of the system, involving both a Battery
Operations Center and a Transporter Erector Launcher in the Pentagon’s hypersonic missile
development program.
• The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the USA’s defence capabilities, particularly in strategic
regions like the South China Sea.
• The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) is a cutting-edge hypersonic missile developed
by Lockheed Martin Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation.
• The missile utilizes a two-stage rocket booster to carry the Navy’s Common Hypersonic Glide
Body (C-HGB) to speeds exceeding Mach 5(761 meter per hour, mph).
• The LRHW program is an integral part of the US military’s broader hypersonic missile
initiatives.
• The US Army is set to deploy the first LRHW battery by fiscal year 2025.

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 • China has earlier deployed its DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle, designed for anti-ship missions
and carried by the DF-17 ballistic missile.
• Russia has placed its nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle into service, launched
atop the RS-28 Sarmat Intercontinental Ballistic Missile(ICBM).

7. The United Nations (UN) observed the first ever ‘World Meditation Day’ on 21st December
2024.
Which country introduced the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) to observe December 21 as ‘World Meditation Day’?
1) Netherlands
2) Switzerland
3) Liechtenstein
4) Denmark
5) Austria
Answer- 3) Liechtenstein
Explanation:
The United Nations(UN) observed the first ever ‘World Meditation Day’ on December 21 2024 to
emphasize the profound mental, physical, and social benefits of meditation, while fostering peace and
unity worldwide.
• World Meditation Day is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of meditation in
navigating the complexities of contemporary life.
• On November 29 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared December 21
as ‘World Meditation Day’ following the unanimous adoption of a resolution co-sponsored by 6
countries comprising India, Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Mexico and Nepal.
• The resolution was adopted on December 6 2024, by the 193-member UNGA.
• The resolution introduced by Liechtenstein, was also cosponsored by Bangladesh, Bulgaria,
Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia,
Morocco, Portugal and Slovenia.
• The declaration coincides with the day of “Winter Solstice”-December 21, a time of spiritual
reflection in Indian tradition marking the beginning of Uttarayana, a period believed to be
auspicious for meditation.
• 71 states from all geographical regions and cultural backgrounds co-sponsored the resolution
which was adopted by consensus.
• The UN Permanent Mission of India to the UN organized a special event with the theme
“Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony” to mark the first ever ‘World Meditation Day’ at
the UN headquarters in New York, United States of America (USA). Click here to read more.

8. Which Indian Institute of Technology and Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) and industry partners have recently (in December ‘24) signed 10 tripartite
agreements during the event ‘DRDO-Industry-Academia – Global Approach to Readiness of
Indigenous Military Applications’ (DIA-GARIMA)?
1) IIT Delhi
2) IIT Bombay
3) IIT Madras
4) IIT Kanpur

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5) IIT Goa
Answer- 1) IIT Delhi
Explanation:
On 19th December 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and industry partners signed 10 tripartite agreements during
the event ‘DRDO-Industry-Academia – Global Approach to Readiness of Indigenous Military
Applications’ (DIA-GARIMA) organised by DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE)
at IIT Delhi, Delhi.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of
Defence Research & Development (R&D), Ministry of Defence(MoD) and Chairman of DRDO,
Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and industry representatives.
• DRDO has implemented a policy to involve universities and industries in defence research,
aiming to enhance advanced defence technologies and promote the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”
initiative for self-reliance in defence production.
• Transfer of Technology for LightWeight Bullet Resistant Jacket (ABHED- Advanced Ballistic
High Energy Defeat) partners with three industry partners.
• A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed with Mumbai(Maharashtra) based
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the development of indigenous ballistic materials.
• MoA has been signed with three industries for the limited series production of Extreme Cold
Weather Clothing.
• MoA was signed for limited series production of Extreme Heat Protective Clothing with three
industries.

9. Which state has recently (in December ‘24) topped among all states in India rooftop solar
installations under ‘Prime Minister -Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY)’ as per the data
released by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?
1) Maharashtra
2) Uttar Pradesh
3) West Bengal
4) Kerala
5) Gujarat
Answer- 5) Gujarat
Explanation:
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) data released in December 2024,
Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (UP) are the top 3 states with the highest number of
rooftop solar installations under ‘Prime Minister -Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana(PMSGMBY)’.
• As per the data, Gujarat has topped among all states in the country with 2,86,545 rooftop
solar installations, followed by Maharashtra (with 1,26,344 installations) and UP (with 53,423
installations) ranked at 2nd and 3rd spot, respectively.
• As of December 9, 2024, more than 6.79 lakh installations (total households covered) have
been completed since the launch of scheme in February 2024.
• So far, total 1.45 crore registrations and 26.38 lakh applications have been registered on the
National Portal of the scheme and also subsidies have been disbursed to 3.66 lakh applicants.

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 • The data showed that 6 states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP, Kerala (with over 56,000
installations), Tamil Nadu (TN) (with over 21,000 installations), and Rajasthan (with over
20,000), collectively account for about 88% of the total rooftop solar installations to date.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the PM-Surya
Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on 29th February, 2024.
• The Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 75,021 crore for the scheme and is to be
implemented till Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27).
• The scheme offers households a subsidy of up to 40% to install solar panels on roofs.
• The scheme is expected to generate an additional 30 GigaWatt (GW) of solar capacity through
residential rooftop installations.
• The scheme which aims to cover 1 crore households, will further help the Government to
save Rs 75,000 crore annually in electricity costs.
• The scheme is expected to generate 1,000 billion units of electricity and reduce Carbon
Dioxide (CO2) emissions by 720 million tonnes. Click here to read more.

10. In December 2024, the Government of India (GoI) sanctioned ______________ under the
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme to
solarize agriculture for states across India.
1) Rs. 2683 crore
2) Rs. 3971 crore
3) Rs. 4388 crore
4) Rs. 5183 crore
5) Rs. 6248 crore
Answer- 3) Rs. 4388 crore
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Government of India(GoI) sanctioned Rs. 4388 crore under the Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme to solarize agriculture
for states across India.
• The Nodal Ministry for the scheme is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• The GoI launched PM-KUSUM in March 2019 to boost farmers’ income, provide better
irrigation options, and cut down on the use of diesel in agriculture.
• The scheme aims to provide energy security to farmers in India while helping the country meet
its goal of sourcing 40% of its electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030, as part of
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
• It aims to add around 34,800 MegaWatt (MW) of solar power by March 2026, with a total
central financial support of Rs 34,422 crore.
• Component A focuses on setting up 10,000 MW of decentralized grid-connected renewable
energy power plants on barren land, with each plant having a capacity between 500 kilowatts
(kW) and 2 MW.
• Under the Component B, 17.50 lakh standalone solar agricultural pumps (up to 7.5 HP) will be
provided to farmers to replace their existing diesel pumps or irrigation systems in areas
without grid electricity.
• For the solarisation of 14 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps, Component C helps
individual farmers solarize their existing grid-connected pumps.

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11. In December 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) notified a new asset
class "Specialised Investment Fund (SIF)" between Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and
Mutual Funds (MFs). As per SEBI directions, what is the minimum investment amount for the
new asset class, except for accredited investors?
1) Rs 5 lakh or above
2) Rs 10 lakh or above
3) Rs 20 lakh or above
4) Rs 30 lakh or above
5) Rs 50 lakh or above
Answer- 2) Rs 10 lakh or above
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) notified a new asset
class “Specialised Investment Fund (SIF)” between Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and
Mutual Funds (MFs). As per the SEBI directions, the new asset class will accept investments of Rs 10
lakh or above across all investment strategies. However, accredited investors are exempted from the
requirement of minimum investment amount.
• The primary objective of introducing this new asset class is to bridge the gap between MFs and
PMS, while ensuring robust risk management and investor protection.
• The notification came following the amendment made to the SEBI (Mutual Funds)
Regulations, 1996.
• As per the new rules, it is mandatory for the fund manager of SIFs to have the relevant National
Institute of Securities Market (NISM) certification.
• As per the new SIF regulations, an investment strategy is not allowed to invest more than
20% of its Net Asset Value (NAV) in debt instruments including money market instruments as
well as non-money market instruments issued by a single issuer and are not investment grade.
• For equity investments, the investment limit on single-company exposure is set at 10% of the
total assets. But, the ownership limit for a company has been increased to 15%.
• SIFs are allowed to allocate maximum 20% of their assets to Real Estate Investment Trusts
(REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), but their investment should not
exceed 10% in any single issuer. Click here to read more.

12. According to the World Bank (WB)’s recent (in December ‘24) data, India has emerged as
the topmost recipient of remittances among Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) in
2024 with an estimated inflow of _______________________.
1) USD 122 billion
2) USD 123 billion
3) USD 125 billion
4) USD 127 billion
5) USD 129 billion
Answer- 5) USD 129 billion
Explanation:
According to the World Bank (WB)’s latest data, India has emerged as the topmost recipient of
remittances among Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) in 2024, with an estimated inflow of
USD 129 billion, witnessed an increase of 3.2% compared to USD 125 billion in 2023.

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 • India is followed by Mexico (USD 68 billion), China (USD 48 billion), the Philippines (USD 40
billion), and Pakistan (USD 33 billion). This surge is mainly attributed to a recovery in the job
markets in High-Income Countries (HICs) within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD).
• As per the data, remittance inflows globally increased by 5.8% in 2024 compared to modest
growth of 1.2% registered in 2023.
• The report highlighted that officially recorded remittances to LMICs are projected to reach USD
685 billion in 2024.
• The report noted that remittance inflows account very large percentage of Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) in smaller economies like: Tajikistan (45% of GDP), followed by Tonga
(38.2%), Nicaragua (27.2%), Lebanon (26.6%), and Samoa (25.9%), among others, highlighting
the significance of remittances for funding the current account and shortfalls.
• As per the report, the gap between remittances and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is
estimated to widen further in 2024.
• South Asia region is projected to register the highest increase in terms of remittance flows i.e.
at 11.8% in 2024 (compared to an increase of 5.1% in 2023). This growth is driven mainly by
continued strong flows to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
• While, most of the regions are expected to witness growth in remittance flows compared to last
year, except: Latin America and the Caribbean region is estimated to slow to 5.5% (in 2024),
from 7.5% (in 2023). Click here to read more.

13. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the FIFA (Fédération
Internationale de Football Association) Football Awards ceremony 2024 held in Doha, Qatar on
17th December 2024?
A) Emiliano Martinez(Argentina) won the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year Award for his
exceptional contributions in 2024.
B) Aitana Bonmatí (Spain) won the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Award for her crucial role
in Barcelona’s domestic treble and their Champions League success.
C) A new award has been introduced for Women’s football. The award has been named after
Marta Vieira da Silva, who has retired from professional football after 20 years of excellent
service for Women’s football.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
The Best FIFA(Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Football Awards ceremony 2024
was held in Doha, Qatar, on 17 December 2024.
• Vinicius Junior (Brazil) won the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 Award for his exceptional
contributions in 2024.
• Aitana Bonmati (Spain) won the Best FIFA Women’s Player 2024 Award for the second
consecutive year. Her crucial role in Barcelona’s domestic treble and their Champions League

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 success, alongside her performances for Spain, solidified her position as the best in women’s
football.
• This year, a new award has been introduced for Women’s football. The award has been named
after Marta Vieira da Silva, who has retired from professional football after 20 years of
excellent service for Women’s football.
• Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil) received the inaugural Marta Award, celebrating the best goal
in women’s football. The award is given to the female footballer, who scored the best goal in
the concerned calendar year.
• Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina) won the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2024 for his
breathtaking overhead kick for Manchester United FC against Everton (North Liverpool) in
November 2023.
• Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)- Best Men’s Coach of the Year for guiding Real Madrid CF to a league
and Champions League doubles.
• Emma Hayes (USA) – Best Women’s Coach of the Year as she led Chelsea FC to a 5th
consecutive (2020,2021,2022,2023,2024) Women’s Super League title.
• Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)- Best Men’s goalkeeper of the Year.
• Alyssa Naeher (USA) – Best Women’s goalkeeper of the Year. Click here to read more.

14. Who has recently (in December ‘24) won the 34th Vyas Samman 2024 in recognition of the
novel “Kaun Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary” which was published in 2018?
1) Suryabala
2) Sunita Jain
3) Asghar Wajahat
4) Pushpa Bharathi
5) Gyan Chaturvedi
Answer- 1) Suryabala
Explanation:
Hindi writer Suryabala has been chosen for the 34th
Vyas Samman 2024 in recognition of her novel “Kaun
Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary” which was published in
2018.
• This Hindi novel explores how Indian youth see America as a land of opportunity, the
challenges they face when moving there, the temptations they encounter, and the cultural
conflicts they experience.
• Suryabala, born in 1943 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh(UP). Throughout her extensive career, she
has authored more than 50 novels, biographies, and children’s stories, many of which have
been adapted into television serials.
• Noted works: Dikshanta (1992), Mere sandi-patra (2003) and Dishaheen (2010).
• Awards: In 2019, she was honored with the Bharat Bharti, the highest literary award from the
UP Hindi Sansthan.
• The Vyas Samman is a prestigious literary award presented annually by the K.K. Birla
Foundation to honors outstanding Hindi literary works published in the last 10 years.
• The first Vyas Samman was awarded in 1991 to Dr. Ram Vilas Sharma for his work Bharat ke
Pracheen Bhasha aur Hindi.
• The award includes a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque.

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15. Which cricket team has recently (in December ‘24) won the 1st edition of Asian Cricket
Council (ACC) Under (U)-19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 by defeating Bangladesh in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia?
1) India
2) Nepal
3) Sri Lanka
4) Pakistan
5) Malaysia
Answer- 1) India
Explanation:
India defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs in the final to win the 1st edition of Asian Cricket Council
(ACC) Under (U)-19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 being held at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia on 22nd December 2024.
• The tournament was held from 15th December to 22nd December 2024 in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
• The Indian team was captained by Niki Prasad while the Bangladesh team was captained
by Sumaiya Akter.
• The Indian team won the tournament title followed by Bangladesh on the 2nd spot and
Nepal on the 3rd position.
• India’s Gongadi Trisha won the Player of the Match award in the finals. She was also the
Player of the Series and the top scorer in the tournament with 159 runs in 5 innings.
• A total of 6 teams participated – four Asian full members (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka) and with hosts Malaysia and Nepal, who qualified for the tournament as
the winner of the Women’s U-19 Asia Qualifier 2025.

16. Which of the following statements is/are ‘correct’ with respect to Sri Lankan President
Anura Kumara Dissanayake's (AKD) visit to India from December 15 to 17, 2024, marking his
first bilateral trip after Sri Lanka’s presidential and parliamentary elections?
A) India and Sri Lanka signed agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion
related to income taxes in New Delhi (Delhi)
B) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Centre for Good
Governance (NCGG), Government of India (GoI), and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development
Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka
C) A grant of USD 24.9 million was provided for the signaling project on the Maho-
Anuradhapura section of the railway line in Sri Lanka
1) Only A & B
2) Only B & C
3) Only C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B, and C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake(AKD), visited India from December 15 to
17,2024, marking his first bilateral trip to India after Sri Lanka’s presidential and parliamentary
elections.

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ii.India and Sri Lanka sign two agreements on Double taxation, capacity building and training in the
presence of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Narendra Modi in New
Delhi(Delhi).
iii.Protocol Amending the Agreement on Double Taxation:An agreement was signed to avoid
double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion related to income taxes.
iv.MoU on Training and Capacity Building for Civil Servants:A Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) was signed between National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), Government of India(GoI)
and Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka, focuses on training and
capacity building for Sri Lankan civil servants.
v.Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake along with PM Narendra Modi issued a joint
statement titled “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future” which outlinined a wide range of
collaborative initiatives, from energy partnerships to regional security cooperation.
vi.Grant Assistance for Signaling Project:A grant of USD 14.9 million was funded for the signaling
project on the Maho-Anuradhapura section of the railway line in Sri Lanka.
Click here to read more

17. Which company recently (in December ‘2024) signed a contract worth Rs 7,628.70 crore
with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply 100 additional K9 VAJRA-T self-propelled tracked
artillery guns for the Indian Army?
1) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
2) Larsen & Toubro Limited
3) Tata Advanced Systems Limited
4) Ashok Leyland Defence System
5) Mahindra Defence Systems Limited
Answer- 2) Larsen & Toubro Limited
Explanation:
On December 20 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs 7,628.70 crore
with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) to supply 100 additional K9 VAJRA-T self-propelled tracked
artillery guns, each with a 155 millimetre (mm)/52 calibre for the Indian Army (IA). The contract
was signed by senior officials of the MoD and the Representatives of L&T Limited in the presence of
Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi (Delhi).
i.The K9 VAJRA-T artillery guns are being built by L&T’s Hazira plant in partnership with Hanwha
Aerospace Company Limited.
ii.The range of these artillery guns is over 40 kilometer(km) and they can launch projectiles at a
speed of around 65 kilometres per hour(km/h).
iii.These upgraded 155 millimeter(mm) artillery systems are designed for high-altitude operations in
regions like Ladakh.
iv.This procurement come under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ initiative, aiming to bolster the Army’s firepower
and operational capability.

18. Which state leads in the number of registrations with 8.37 crore out of the 30.48 crore
workers registered nationwide on the E-Shram Portal, the world’s largest database for
unorganized workers?
1) Maharashtra
2) Uttar Pradesh

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3) Bihar
4) West Bengal
5) Tamil Nadu
Answer- 2) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation:
The E-Shram portal , the world’s largest database for unorganized workers, has recorded
30,48,02,313 (30.48 crore) registrations till December 19 2024. The portal was launched by the
Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) on 26th August 2021 which aims to support the
unorganized workforce, vital to India’s economy.
i.A total of Rs. 704.01 crores were allocated for NDUW for the period Fiscal Year 2019-20(FY20) to
FY25.
ii.Registration costs are free through the E-Shram portal, Common Services Centres (CSCs) and State
Seva Kendras (SSKs).

Rank State Number of Registrations

1 Uttar Pradesh (UP) 8,37,45,287

2 Bihar 2,95,88,748

3 West Bengal (WB) 2,64,06,322

4 Madhya Pradesh (MP) 1,84,48,886

5 Maharashtra 1,73,33,185
Click here to read more

19. Which of the following is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 208th meeting of the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently (in December ‘24) held in Mumbai?
A) An issuer can only make an Initial Public Offer (IPO) if it has an operating profit of at least
Rs. 2 crore in any 2 out of the 3 previous financial years when filing its draft red herring
prospectus (DRHP)
B) The SEBI has launched a new initiative called the "Past Risk and Return Verification Agency"
(PaRRVA) to prevent misleading claims about investment returns.
C) The SEBI board has increased the threshold for identifying High Value Debt Listed Entities
(HVDLEs) from Rs. 500 crores to Rs. 1000 crores, aligning it with the threshold for large
corporations.
1) Only B & C
2) Only A & B
3) All A, B, and C
4) Only A
5) Only A & C
Answer- 1) Only B & C

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Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Board conducted its 208th meeting on 18th
December 2024, in Mumbai to develop significant measures to improve the business environment in
the capital markets. The meeting’s agenda was to formulate reforms for primary markets, small and
medium enterprises (SMEs), and mutual funds, among others.
i.Merchant Bankers (MBs), other than Banks, Public Financial Institution and their subsidiaries, shall
undertake only permitted activities.
ii.They should maintain a liquid net worth of at least 25% of the minimum net worth requirement, at
all times.
iii.An issuer shall make an Initial Public Offer (IPO), only with an operating profit (earnings before
interest, depreciation and tax) of Rs. 1 crore from operations for any 2 out of 3 previous financial
years at the time of filing of its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).
iv.Offer for sale (OFS) by selling shareholders in SME IPO shall not exceed 20% of the total issue size
and they cannot sell more than 50% of their holding.
v.The SEBI has launched a new initiative, the “Past Risk and Return Verification Agency” (PaRRVA), to
prevent misleading claims about investment returns. This verification system will act like an ISI mark
for financial claims.
vi.The SEBI board has increased the threshold for identification of High Value Debt Listed entities
(HVDLEs) from Rs.500 crores to Rs. 1000 crores which is at par with the large Corporates.
vii.The SEBI Board mandated Custodians to maintain a net worth of Rs. 75 crores and shall be
achieved within 3 years. Click here to read more

20. Which organization recently (in December ‘24) approved a USD 800 million loan for the
Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Project (AIUDP) to develop Amaravati as a
greenfield capital city of Andhra Pradesh (AP)?
1) Asian Development Bank
2) International Monetary Fund
3) World Bank
4) United Nations Development Programme
5) New Development Bank
Answer- 3) World Bank
Explanation:
On December 20, 2024, the World Bank’s (WB) Board of Executive Directors approved a USD 800
million loan for the Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Project (AIUDP), which aims to build
Amaravati as a greenfield capital city of Andhra Pradesh(AP).
i.The loan amount has a final maturity of 29 years including a grace period of 6 years. India has chosen
to take the loan in Japanese Yen(JPY).
ii.The Bank’s financing will also attract over USD 600 million in private investment, helping the city
become financially sustainable and creating economic opportunities for its residents.

21. Which bank has recently (in December ‘24) received approval from the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) to sell part of its shares in Robeco Asset Management Company Limited and HSBC
Life Insurance Company Limited?
1) State Bank of India
2) Punjab National Bank

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3) Bank of Baroda
4) Canara Bank Limited
5) Union Bank of India
Answer- 4) Canara Bank Limited
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based
Canara Bank Limited’s, a public sector bank (PSB), plan to sell part of its shares in Canara Robeco
Asset Management Company (CRAMC) Limited headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra and Canara
HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited, based in Gurgaon, Haryana.
i.In March 2024, Canara Bank’s board approved the sale of its stakes in two subsidiaries.
ii.The bank will reduce its stake by 13% in CRAMC and 5% in Canara HSBC Life Insurance through an
Initial Public Offer (IPO).
iii.Based on an exemption granted by the Government of India (GoI), the bank must lower its stake in
both companies to 30% by October 31, 2029.
iv.Canara HSBC Life Insurance, set up in 2008, is a Joint Venture (JV) with Canara Bank owning 51%,
HSBC Insurance Holdings Limited holding 26%, and Punjab National Bank (PNB) owns the remaining
23%.
v.CRAMC was established in 1993, originally known as Canbank Mutual Fund. In 2007, Canara Bank
entered a JV with the Robeco Group, and the mutual fund (MF) was renamed CRMAC.
vi.Canara Bank owns 51% of stake in CRMAC, with Japan’s Orix Corporation holding the remaining
49%.

22. Which two advanced warships were recently (in December ‘24) delivered to the Indian
Navy (IN) by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)?
1) Nilgiri (YARD 12651) and Surat (YARD 12707)
2) Vishal (YARD 12652) and Chennai (YARD 12708)
3) Vikrant (YARD 12653) and Delhi (YARD 12709)
4) Rajput (YARD 12654) and Mumbai (YARD 12710)
5) Shivalik (YARD 12655) and Kolkata (YARD 12711)
Answer- 1) Nilgiri (YARD 12651) and Surat (YARD 12707)
Explanation:
December 20 2024, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered 2 advanced warships
‘Nilgiri(YARD 12651)’ and ‘Surat(YARD 12707)’ to the Indian Navy (IN) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The
two warships were designed by the IN’s Warship Design Bureau, constructed by MDL and overseen by
the Warship Overseeing Team in Mumbai.
i.Nilgiri is the 1st stealth frigate of the Project 17A class ship and Surat is the 4th stealth destroyer and
final ship of the Project 15B class guided missile destroyer.
ii.The acceptance documents for ‘Nilgiri’ and ‘Surat’ were signed by MDL Chairman-Managing Director
(CMD) Sanjeev Singhal and Chief Security Officer (CSO) (Tech) R. Adhisrinivasan of IN.
iii.These warships strengthen India’s maritime defence with advanced missile systems, stealth
features and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration.
iv.The Indian Navy Ship (INS) Nilgiri is 126 meters (m)long, the First of Class (FoC) ship of Project 17A
stealth frigate keel was laid in 2017 and the ship was launched into water in 2019.
v.Weighing over 6,500 tonnes (tons), the Nilgiri can hold 226 sailors and one helicopter.

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vi.The INS Surat is a 164 meters(m) long, large 7,400-tons destroyer with a capacity of 300 sailors.
Surat’s keel was laid in 2019 and was launched in 2022. Click here to read more

23. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 55th Goods and Services
Tax (GST) Council meeting chaired by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance
(MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) on December 21, 2024 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan?
A) The GST Council has decided to reduce the GST rate on FRK which is classifiable under HS
Code 1904, from 18% to 9%.
B) It has clarified that ready to eat popcorn which is mixed with salt and spices are classifiable
under HS 2106 90 99 will attract 5% GST if supplied as other than pre-packaged and if
supplied as pre-packaged and labelled, will attract 12% GST.
C) It has decided to raise the GST rate from 12% to 18% on sale of all old and used vehicles,
including Electric Vehicles (EVs).
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
The 55th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting
chaired by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry
of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA)
was held on December 21, 2024 at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• The GST Council has decided to reduce the GST rate
on Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) which is classifiable
under HS Code 1904, from 18% to 5%.
• It has decided to introduce the rate of GST
applicable on restaurant services in such hotels, for a given financial year (FY), based on the
‘value of supply’ of units of accommodation made in the preceding FY i.e. 18% with Input Tax
Credit (ITC) if the value of supply is more than Rs 7,500 for any unit of accommodation in the
preceding FY, and 5% without otherwise.
• It has decided to raise the GST rate from12% to 18% on sale of all old and used vehicles,
including Electric Vehicles (EVs) except: those specified at 18%-sale of old and used petrol
vehicles of engine capacity of 1200 cubic capacity (cc) or more and of length of 4000 millimetre
(mm) or above; diesel vehicles of engine capacity of 1500 cc or above and length of 4000 mm
and SUVs.
• It has clarified that ready to eat popcorn which is mixed with salt and spices are classifiable
under HS 2106 90 99 will attract 5% GST if supplied as other than pre-packaged and if
supplied as pre-packaged and labelled, will attract 12% GST.
• It has recommended inserting an enabling provision in CGST Act, 2017 through Section 148A,
to empower the government to enforce the ‘Track and Trace Mechanism’ for specified
evasion-prone commodities. Click here to read more.

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24. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 18th edition of ‘India State
of Forest Report (ISFR 2023)’ on Volume I and Volume II released by Union Minister
Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in December
2024?
A) India’s total forest stands at 7,15,342.61 square kilometer (sq km), which is around 21.76%
of the geographical area of India .
B) Highest forest cover: Madhya Pradesh (MP) (77,073 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh
(AR) (65,882 sq km) and Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km) are the top three states having largest
forest cover in Area wise.
C) Rajasthan (14,524.88 sq km) covers the highest tree cover in India followed by Maharashtra
(10,841.12 sq km) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) (8,950.92 sq km).
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
On December 21 2024, Union Minister, Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the 18th edition of ‘India State of Forest Report(ISFR 2023)’ on
Volume I and Volume II at Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• The ISFR report was brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), MoEFCC on a biennial
basis in 1987.
• The ISFR 2023 report provides vital information on Forest and Tree resources of the country,
based on 2 major activities: Forest Cover Mapping (FCM) and National Forest Inventory (NFI)
• Total Forest & Tree Cover: 8,27,356.95 sq km (25.17% of India’s area). Forest cover:
7,15,342.61 sq km(21.76%) and Tree cover: 1,12,014.34 sq km (3.41%).
• Highest forest cover: MP (77,073 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh(AR) (65,882 sq km)
and Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km) are the top three states having largest forest cover in Area
wise.
• Top 3 states of Tree cover: Maharashtra (14,524.88 sq km) covers the highest tree cover in
India followed by Rajasthan (10,841.12 sq km) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) (8,950.92 sq km).
• The total annual potential production of timber from trees outside forest has been estimated
as 91.51 million cum.
• The total carbon stock in the forest is estimated to be 7,285.5 million tonnes(increase of 81.5
million tonnes). Click here to read more.

25. In December 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) decided to postpone
the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure deadline for value chain partners
of listed companies from the current requirement of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) to
___________.
1) FY30
2) FY29
3) FY28
4) FY27

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5) FY26
Answer- 5) FY26
Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to postpone the Environmental, Social
and Governance (ESG) disclosure deadline for value chain partners of listed companies by 1 year. i.e.
shifting from the current requirement of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) to Financial Year 2025-26
(FY26).This decision was taken during the 208th meeting of SEBI Board held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• With this, disclosure of ESG for value chain will remain ‘voluntary’, instead of the present
‘comply-and-explain’ requirement.
• It has also decided that ESG disclosure for “assessment or assurance” will be applicable from
FY27 instead of the current requirement of FY26.
• This move aimed to promote ease of doing business for listed companies and their value chain
partners in achieving Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR)
requirements.
• SEBI has introduced a new leadership indicator in Principle 6 of BRSR under ) mandates
listed companies and their top-10 value chain partners to disclose green credits created or
procured.
• It has further decided to replace the word “assurance” with “assessment or assurance” in
SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, related to BRSR.
• Assessments will be conducted by 3rd parties as per the standards outlined by the Industry
Standards Forum (ISF) in consultation with SEBI.

26. Which two Edelweiss Group entities had their business restrictions lifted by the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) in December 2024?
1) Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) Limited and Edelweiss Financial Services Limited
2) Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance and Edelweiss Commodities Limited
3) Edelweiss Financial Services Limited and Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance
4) Edelweiss Alternative Asset Management and ECL Finance Limited
5) ECL Finance Limited and Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) Limited
Answer- 5) ECL Finance Limited and Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) Limited
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted the business restrictions imposed on 2
Edelweiss Group entities – Mumbai(Maharashtra) based ECL Finance Limited and Mumbai based
Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company(ARC) Limited. This move comes after both companies
successfully addressed the central bank’s concerns regarding their operations.
• In May 2024, the RBI invoked its powers under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and the
Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest
Act(SARFAESI Act), 2002 to impose restrictions on the 2 non-banking financial entities.
• ECL Finance was directed to cease and desist from undertaking any structured transactions
in respect of its wholesale exposures, other than repayment and/or closure of accounts in
its normal course of business.
• Edelweiss ARC was prohibited from acquiring financial assets and restructuring existing
Security Receipts (SRs) into senior and subordinate tranches.

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27. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 100th edition of the
Tansen Sangeet Samaroh held in December 2024?
A) The 100th edition of the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, one of India’s most celebrated classical
music festivals, was held from December 15 to 19, 2024 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
B) The event honored tabla player Padma Shri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri with the ‘Rashtriya
Tansen Samman 2023’
C) It honored Indore’s Sanand Nyas Institution with the ‘Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman 2023’.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
The 100th edition of the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, one of India’s most celebrated classical music
festivals, was held from December 15 to 19, 2024 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (MP). The
Department of Culture, MP organizes the music festival, with Dharmendra Singh, the Culture Minister
of MP, serving as the chief guest at the award function.
• The event honored tabla player Padma Shri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri with the ‘Rashtriya
Tansen Samman 2023’ and Indore’s Sanand Nyas Institution with the ‘Raja Mansingh
Tomar Samman 2023’. The awards recognize their contributions to Indian classical music and
cultural preservation.
• Sanand Nyas President Jayant Madhav Bhise and Secretary Sanjeev Babikar accepted the
award on behalf of the institution.
• Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri was born in 1945 in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB). He is a renowned
Indian tabla player.
• In 1996, he received the Sangeet Natak Academy Award and in 2019 he was honored with the
Padma Shri in the field of Art-Music-Tabla.
• Rashtriya Tansen Samman established in 1980 by the MP Government, it is the highest
national music award in the field of Indian classical music.
• The award comprises a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh along with a citation plaque.
• Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman award recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian
classical music, drama, and cultural events.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a citation plaque.

28. In December 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR), Ministry
of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B) and Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY) conferred “_____ Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar (AVRSP 2024) to _______
Railway officials and 22 shields to the best-performing Railway Zones in New Delhi, Delhi.
1) 70th, 100
2) 69th, 101
3) 68th, 102
4) 67th, 103
5) 66th, 104
Answer- 2) 69th, 101

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Explanation:
In December 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways(MoR), Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting(MoI&B) and Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology(MeitY), conferred “69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar (AVRSP 2024) to 101 Railway
officials and 22 shields to the best-performing Railway Zones in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
(Delhi).
• The theme for this year’s ceremony was “Mai Hoon Bhartiya Rail,” symbolizing pride and
dedication to the Indian Railways.
• The Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar was conferred to employees for outstanding
performance. These awards are given into two categories, the individual awards and Shields
presented to the best-performing Railway Zones.
• Innovation and Productivity Enhancement:15 employees and officers honored for
driving innovation and improving productivity towards reducing import dependency and
promoting indigenous technology.
• Bravery and Selflessness in Safeguarding Lives:16 employees recognized for exceptional
bravery in protecting lives and Railway property in ensuring the safety of passengers and
staff.
• Operational Excellence and Security:22 employees celebrated for excellence in
operations, safety, and asset protection.
• Record-Breaking Project Completion:16 officers recognized for completing Railway
projects within record time.

29. Match the following according to the recent (in December ‘24) appointment of Governors to
the respected states.
State Governor

i) Kerala a) Arif Mohammed Khan

ii) Odisha b) Ajay Kumar Bhalla

iii) Bihar c) Hari Babu Kambhampati

iv) Mizoram d) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

v) Manipur e) General (Dr.) V.K. Singh

1) i – (b); ii – (e); iii – (d); iv – (c); v – (a)
2) i – (a); ii – (b); iii – (d); iv – (e); v – (c)
3) i – (e); ii – (c); iii – (a); iv – (b); v – (d)
4) i – (d); ii – (c); iii – (a); iv – (e); v – (b)
5) i – (c); ii – (a); iii – (d); iv – (e); v – (b)
Answer- 4) i – (d); ii – (c); iii – (a); iv – (e); v – (b)
Explanation:
On December 25 2024, President of India, Droupadi Murmu, appointed new Governors for 5 states
Kerala, Odisha, Bihar, Mizoram and Manipur at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi,Delhi.

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 State New Governor Previous Governor

Kerala Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Arif Mohammed Khan

Odisha Hari Babu Kambhampati Raghubar Das

Bihar Arif Mohammed Khan Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Mizoram General (Dr.) V.K. Singh Hari Babu Kambhampati

Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla Lakshman Prasad Acharya

• All the appointments will be effective from the dates, the Governors assume charge of their
respective offices.
• President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Raghubar Das as Governor of
Odisha and appointed Hari Babu Kambhampati as the new Governor of Odisha.
• Roles and Responsibilities of Governor: Appointment: According to Article 153, a Governor
must be appointed for each state, with one person being able to serve as Governor for multiple
states.
• Eligibility: Article 157 and 158 outline the eligibility criteria for a person to be appointed as a
Governor.
• Appointment of CM and Ministers: Under Article 164, the Governor appoints the CM and
other Ministers.
• Assent to Bills: Under Article 200, the Governor has the power to assent to or withhold assent
to bills passed by the Legislative Assembly, or reserve the bill for the President’s consideration.
Click here to read more.

30. Which organisation has recently (in December ‘24) signed an agreement with the Indian
Space Research Organisation to collaborate on activities related to astronaut training, mission
implementation, and research experiments in space?
1) China National Space Administration
2) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
3) European Space Agency
4) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
5) Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
Answer- 3) European Space Agency
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency
(ESA) signed an agreement to collaborate on activities related to astronaut training, mission
implementation, and research experiments in space.
• The agreement was signed by Dr. S. Somanath, ISRO Chairman, Secretary, Department of
Space (DoS), and Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General(DG) of ESA.
• The agreement establishes a framework for collaborative human space exploration and
research activities in astronaut training, experiment development and integration, use of ESA
facilities on the International Space Station (ISS), biomedical and human research experiments
implementation, and joint outreach and education initiatives.

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 • Both organisations are working together to implement experiments shortlisted by Indian
Principal Investigators on ISS for the next Axiom-4 mission, which will include ISRO’s
Gaganyatri and ESA’s astronaut as crew members.

31. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the National Consumer Rights
Day also known as Bharatiya Grahak Diwas?
A) National Consumer Rights Day, also known as Bharatiya Grahak Diwas or National
Consumer Day, is annually observed across India on 24 December.
B) Launched Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) Standards
initiative from 2025 aims to simplify traditional standards, which are typically created as PDFs
for humans but difficult for computers to process.
C) Inauguration of the ‘Organic Food Testing Laboratory’ at National Test House (NTH),
Guwahati (Assam) & ‘Low Voltage Switchgear Testing Facility ‘at NTH, Mumbai (Maharashtra).
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
National Consumer Rights Day, also known as Bharatiya Grahak Diwas or National Consumer Day, is
annually observed across India on 24 December to raise awareness of consumer rights and
responsibilities.
• The day also aims to educate people about their rights as consumers to avoid exploitation like
freedom of choice, access to information and protection against dangerous products.
• The theme of National Consumer Day 2024 was “Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to
Consumer Justice”.
• The 1st National Consumer Rights Day was observed on 24 December 1986.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs, MOCAF & PD launched a Safety Pledge, a voluntary
commitment to enhance consumer safety in e-commerce.
• The Jago Grahak Jago App provides consumers with crucial information about e-commerce
Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), alerting them to potential unsafe links and advising
caution.
• The e-Mapp portal, a unified digital platform to integrate State Legal Metrology portals into a
single national system.
• Another initiative of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART)
Standards from 2025 aims to simplify traditional standards, which are typically created as
PDFs for humans but difficult for computers to process.
• The National Test House (NTH) inaugurated two advanced facilities on National Consumer
Day, emphasizing its commitment to product safety and consumer trust.
• Inauguration of the ‘Organic Food Testing Laboratory’ at National Test House (NTH),
Guwahati (Assam) & ‘Low Voltage Switchgear Testing Facility ‘at NTH, Mumbai (Maharashtra).
• Exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Legal Metrology Department
and Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Click
here to read more.

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32. Which act has been recently (in December ‘24) amended by the Government of India to
abolish the 'no-detention policy' for Classes 5 and 8?
1) National Council for Teachers Education Act, 1993
2) National Institute of Technology Act, 2007
3) University Grants Commission Act, 1956
4) National Education Policy, 2020
5) Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
Answer- 5) Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Government of India(GoI) abolished the ‘no-detention policy’ for Classes 5
and 8, allowing schools to fail students who do not clear year-end exams. It will be applicable to over
3,000 central schools.
• The Ministry of Education(MoE) issued the notification on December 16 2024, amended “Right
of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, as revised by the RTE
(Amendment) Act, 2019”, outlining the changes to the promotion criteria. The amended rules,
titled the RTE (Amendment) Act, 2024.
• The new policy was officially notified after the completion of the National Curriculum
Framework(NCF) in 2023. The policy change was made under the leadership of Sanjay
Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, MoE.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The policy change aligns with the NEP 2020’s
emphasis on improving learning outcomes while retaining access to education.
• The ‘no-detention policy’ was initially introduced in 2019 under Section 16 of the RTE Act
2009, aiming to ensure education access without fear of failure.
• The no-detention policy was criticized for diluting academic standards and fostering a lack of
accountability among students.
• 16 states and 2 Union Territories (UTs), including Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal
Pradesh (HP), West Bengal (WB), Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu (TN), have decided to adopt the
no-detention policy.

33. Which team has recently (in December ‘24) won the 13th edition of Admiral’s Cup Sailing
Regatta 2024?
1) Russia
2) Italy
3) India
4) China
5) Japan
Answer- 1) Russia
Explanation:
The “13th edition of the Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta” for the year 2024 was organised by the
Indian Navy (IN) featured 53 skilled sailors, including 14 women, from 25 nations held at the Indian
Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala from 8th to 13th December 2024.
• Team’s Category – The Admiral’s Cup 24 was won by Team Russia, which was represented
by Lieutenant (Lt) Gorkunov Petr llyich and Cadet (Cdt) Loshichinina Polina Vladislavovna.

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 • Team Italy, led by Midshipman Carlo Leonardo and Ensign Camilla Bernabei, won second
place, while Team India/INA ‘A’, led by Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Japman Avtar and Cdt PK Reddy,
finished third.
• In the men’s individual category, Lt. Gorkunov Petr Lyich of Russia won first place,
followed by Second Lieutenant (2Lt) Darius Lee Kheng Wee of Singapore and Ensign Pappas
Vissarion HN of Greece, won second and third places respectively.
• In the women’s individual category, Ensign Camilla Bernabei from Italy won first place,
followed by Cdt Loshichinina Polina Vladislavovna from Russia and SLt Isha Shah from India at
second and third places respectively.

34. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait from 21st to 22nd December 2024?
A) India and Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the
field of Defence.
B) India and Kuwait signed an MoU on Maritime Security Cooperation.
C) PM Modi was awarded the Wisam Mubarak al-Kabeer or the Order of Mubarak the Great by
Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This is the highest national award of Kuwait.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi made an official 2-day visit to Kuwait from 21st December to
22nd December 2024 at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of
the State of Kuwait.
• This was the first visit by an Indian PM to the Gulf nation in over four decades.
• The objective of the visit was to review and boost collaborations in key areas such as trade,
energy, investment, culture, and the deep-rooted people-to-people ties between the two
nations.
• India and Kuwait signed four Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in the areas of defence,
sports and cultural cooperation.
1. MoU between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Defence to promote
bilateral cooperation in defence in areas including training, exchange of personnel and
experts, joint exercises, defense industry cooperation, supply of equipment, and
Research and Development (R&D).
2. Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Kuwait (2025-2029) to
promote cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature, theatre, conserve cultural
heritage, R&D in culture, and organization of festivals.
3. Executive Programme (EP) for Cooperation in the Field of Sports (2025-2028) to
enhance exchange of sports leaders, participation in programs, and exchange of
knowledge and skills in sports medicine, management, media, and science.

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 4. Kuwait’s membership of International Solar Alliance (ISA) to adopt solar energy and
addressing common challenges to promote usage of solar energy, develop low-carbon
growth economies.
• PM Modi was awarded the Wisam Mubarak al-Kabeer, or the Order of Mubarak the Great,
by Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on 22nd December 2024. This is the highest
national award of Kuwait.
• He attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait on 21st December
2024 organized by Kuwait with participation from eight countries, including Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) nations, Iraq, and Yemen. Click here to read more.

35. In December 2024, the Government of India (GoI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
signed a ______________ loan to support green and sustainable infrastructure projects aligned with
India’s climate commitments.
1) USD 100 million
2) USD 200 million
3) USD 300 million
4) USD 400 million
5) USD 500 million
Answer- 5) USD 500 million
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Government of India (GoI) and the Asian Development Bank(ADB) signed a
USD 500 million loan to support green and sustainable infrastructure projects aligned with India’s
climate commitments.
• The ADB loan will be given to the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) with a
sovereign guarantee.
• With the support of ADB financing, IIFCL provides long-term funding for infrastructure
projects that prioritize energy transition and connectivity, as well as underserved industries
including urban projects, education, and healthcare.
• The project will increase IIFCL’s institutional capacity to incorporate green and best practices
into infrastructure projects.
• The ADB and Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (Vastu) have entered into a senior
secured loan agreement of up to USD 70 million to enhance access to affordable and
sustainable housing loans in underserved states of India.
• This financing will be utilized to provide loans to EWS and low-income groups and women
borrowers. First-time borrowers will receive at least 15% of the total funds.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reports that 95% of India’s total housing deficit is caused by
shortages of 45 million houses for economically weaker communities and 50 million for low-
income groups.

36. Which bank has recently (in December ‘24) appointed Amitava Chatterjee as its new
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a period of three years effective
from 30th December 2024?
1) Bandhan Bank Ltd.
2) Karur Vysya Bank
3) IDFC FIRST Bank

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4) Kotak Mahindra Bank
5) Jammu and Kashmir Bank
Answer- 5) Jammu and Kashmir Bank
Explanation:
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Bank Limited has appointed Amitava Chatterjee as its new Managing
Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a period of three years effective from 30th
December 2024.
• He will replace Baldev Prakash, whose term comes to an end on 29th December 2024.
• He is currently serving as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of the State Bank of India
(SBI) and has previously held the position of MD & CEO at SBI Capital Markets Limited
(SBICAPS).
• He has an extensive banking career of over 30 years, with experience in strategic roles
across different regions.

37. In December 2024, Aisake Valu Eke was elected as the Prime Minister (PM) of which
country?
1) Fiji
2) Niue
3) Samoa
4) Tonga
5) Vanuatu
Answer- 4) Tonga
Explanation:
In December 2024, Aisake Valu Eke, former Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, was elected as the
Prime Minister (PM) of Tonga. He replaced former PM Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, who
resigned on December 9 2024. He won the secret ballot of Parliament by 16- 8 votes by defeating the
only other candidate, Viliame Latu (Trade Minister).
• The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held on February 03 2025. He will hold office
until Tonga’s next general election in November 2025.
• Aisake Valu Eke, a veteran politician, was 1st elected to the Legislative Assembly general
election as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tongatapu 5 in November 2010.
• He served as Minister for Finance from 2014 to 2017.
• In 2008, he was awarded the “Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III” (a knighthood order of the
Kingdom of Tonga) by the King of Tonga for his personal services to the sovereign.

38. Who was recently (in December ‘24) replaced by Kristrun Mjoll Frostadottir as the Prime
Minister of Iceland?
1) Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
2) Bjarni Benediktsson
3) Katrín Jakobsdóttir
4) Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson
5) Olafur Ragnar Grimsson
Answer- 2) Bjarni Benediktsson

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Explanation:
In December 2024, Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, appointed Kristrun Mjoll Frostadottir,
the Leader of the Social Democratic Alliance (SDA) as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Iceland. She
officially assumed office by replacing former PM Bjarni Benediktsson.
• She secured 20.8% of the vote and 15 seats in the Althing (Supreme National Parliament) of
2024 Icelandic Parliamentary Election.
• Kristrun Mjoll Frostadottir (36) became the youngest PM in Icelandic history.
• Kristrun Frostadottir, an Icelandic politician, economist, began her career as a journalist for the
business newspaper ‘Viðskiptablaðið’ and worked as an economist in the analysis department
of Arion Bank (Icelandic Bank).
• She first served as a Specialist for Morgan Stanley (American Multinational International
Bank), in New York, United States of America (USA) and later in London, United Kingdom (UK).
• She was a member of the Budget Committee between 2021 and 2024, with a brief period of
time on the Economic Affairs and Trade Committee.
• In the 2021 parliamentary election, she was elected as a member of the Althing for the
Reykjavík South constituency and at the 2024 snap election, she was elected to represent the
Reykjavík North constituency.

39. Dr Manmohan Singh, former Indian Prime Minister (PM) and a key architect of India’s
economic reforms passed away at the age of 92 in New Delhi, Delhi.
Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the former Indian PM Dr.
Manmohan Singh?
A) He served as India’s 13th PM from 2004 to 2014 (2 consecutive terms), becoming India’s 4th
longest-serving PM.
B) He served as the 15th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 1982 to 1985.
C) He received Padma Bhushan in 1987 for his exceptional and distinguished service in the
field of public affairs, particularly his contributions to India’s economic reforms.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
On December 26, 2024, Dr Manmohan Singh, former Indian Prime Minister(PM) and a key architect
of India’s economic reforms passed away at the age of 92 in New Delhi (Delhi). He was born on 16
September 1932 in Gah, West Punjab(British India).
• Manmohan Singh served as India’s 13th PM from 2004 to 2014 (2 consecutive terms),
becoming India’s 4th longest-serving PM.
• He served as the 15th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) from 1982 to 1985.
• The National Stock Exchange (NSE), which was formally launched in 1992, saw significant
reforms and expansion during his tenure as the Finance Minister of India.
• The Golden Quadrilateral project aimed at improving connectivity between major cities, was
further accelerated during his tenure, alongside the expansion of highways, ports and
airports.

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 • National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (NREGA), later renamed the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was launched during his time as PM.
• The Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005, which was enacted in 2005, a transparency law that
gave citizens the legal right to access information about government functioning aimed to
promote government accountability and reduce corruption.
• Padma Vibhushan (1987): India’s second-highest civilian award, given for his exceptional
and distinguished service in the field of public affairs, particularly his contributions to India’s
economic reforms.
• Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development (2009): Received
the award for his leadership and economic policies that transformed India into one of the
world’s fastest-growing economies. Click here to read more.

40. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi’s visit to Madhya Pradesh (MP) on 25th December 2024 on the occasion of the
100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee?
A) PM Modi laid the foundation stone of Ken-Betwa River Link Project (KLBP), in Khajuraho,
Madhya Pradesh.
B) He inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project established at Omkareshwar in the
Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.
C) He released a Rs.100 commemorative coin and stamp to honor and celebrate the 100th birth
anniversary of former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Madhya Pradesh (MP) on 25th December 2024 on the
occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone of various projects.
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone of Ken-Betwa River Link Project (KLBP), in Khajuraho,
Madhya Pradesh on 25th December 2024.
• The Union Cabinet had approved Rs 44,605 crore for the KBLP project in December 2021.
• The Ken-Betwa Link Canal will have a length of 221 km including a 2-km tunnel which will
transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna.
• PM Modi inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project established at Omkareshwar
in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.
• The project is aimed to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the Government’s mission
of net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• Atal Gram Sushasan buildings will play an important role in the practical application of work,
better administrative functions and efficient conduct of responsibilities of Gram Panchayats
for good governance at the local level.
• PM Modi released Rs.100 commemorative coin and stamp to honor and celebrate the 100th
birth anniversary of former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Click here to read more.

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41. In December 2024, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport officially became India’s 1st zero-waste
airport with the inauguration of 3,000 square feet (sq.ft) material recovery facility at the
airport by Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
Where is the airport located?
1) Pune, Maharashtra
2) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
3) Indore, Madhya Pradesh
4) Hyderabad, Telangana
5) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Answer- 3) Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, Madhya Pradesh(MP) became India’s 1st zero-waste
airport with the inauguration of 3,000 square feet (sq.ft) Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at the
airport by Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA).
• The airport’s zero-waste achievement is based on the 4R strategy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and
Restore.
• The Zero-Waste Airport Project is a joint initiative between IndiGo’s corporate social
responsibility arm, IndiGoReach, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the AAS
Foundation (a non-governmental organization focused on sustainable development).
• The newly launched MRF embodies this approach, capable of processing around 750 kilograms
of waste daily from airport operations and flights.
• Apart from material recovery facilities, he also inaugurated the new air traffic control tower,
which was constructed at a cost of Rs 55 crore.

42. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Annual Report 2023-24 of
the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)?
A) India's overall insurance penetration (the ratio of annual premiums to Gross Domestic
Product (GDP)) declined for the 2nd consecutive year i.e. to 3.7% during FY24 from 4% in
FY23.
B) The report claims ratio(the net incurred claims to net earned premium) of the non-life
insurance industry declined to 82.52% for the Financial Year 2023-24(FY24), compared to
82.95% in FY23.
C) The report highlighted that the contribution of public sector general insurers have
increased to Rs 90,252 crore in FY24 by 6.66%.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 1) Only A & B
Explanation:
According to the Annual Report 2023-24 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India (IRDAI), claims ratio(the net incurred claims to net earned premium) of non-life insurance
industry declined to 82.52% for the Financial Year 2023-24(FY24), compared to 82.95% in FY23.

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 • The report showed that India's overall insurance penetration (the ratio of annual premiums to
Gross Domestic Product (GDP))declined for the 2nd consecutive year i.e. to 3.7% during FY24
from 4% in FY23.
• The report highlighted that the contribution of public sector general insurers have increased
by 8.88%, from Rs 82,891 crore in FY23 to Rs 90,252 crore in FY24.
• The report showed that the non-life insurance sector underwrote a total direct premium of Rs
2.90 lakh crore in India during FY24, registering a growth of 12.76% from preceding year.
• The report showed that the combined net profit of the non-life insurance sector was Rs 10,119
crore in FY24 as against a net loss of Rs 2,566 crore in FY23.
• The report highlighted that the life insurance paid total benefits of Rs 5.77 trillion in FY24,
accounting 70.22% of the net premium.
• The report revealed that total premiums across all insurance categories reached Rs 11.19
trillion in FY24. Click here to read more.

43. Who will chair the 8-member committee constituted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to
develop a framework for responsible and ethical enablement of artificial intelligence (FREE-
AI) in the financial sector in December 2024?
1) Debjani Ghosh
2) Abhishek Singh
3) Sanjay Malhotra
4) Pushpak Bhattacharya
5) Shaktikanta Das
Answer- 4) Pushpak Bhattacharya
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it has constituted an 8 member
committee to develop a framework for responsible and ethical enablement of artificial intelligence
(FREE-AI) in the financial sector.
• The committee will be chaired by Pushpak Bhattacharya, Professor from the Department
of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B),
Mumbai (Maharashtra).
• The committee is expected to submit its report within 6 months from the date of its 1st
meeting.
• RBI’s FinTech Department will provide secretarial support to the newly constituted
committee
• The committee has been mandated to examine the current level of AI adoption in financial
services, globally as well as in India.
• The committee will be required to review regulatory and supervisory approaches on AI
with focus on the financial sector worldwide.

44. In December 2024, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka
imposed a monetary penalty of __________________ on Indian Bank Limited for Non-Compliance.
1) Rs 8.63 Lakh
2) Rs 9.45 Lakh
3) Rs 6.81 Lakh

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4) Rs 4.56 Lakh
5) Rs 5.85 Lakh
Answer- 5) Rs 5.85 Lakh
Explanation:
In December 2024, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Central Bank of Sri Lanka has imposed
monetary penalty of Rs 5.85 Lakh (2 million Sri Lankan rupees(LKR)) on Chennai (Tamil Nadu
(TN))-based Public Sector Bank (PSB), Indian Bank Limited for not complying with the provisions of
Sri Lanka’s Financial Transactions Reporting Act No.6 of 2006 (FTRA).
• At present, Indian Bank has its two branches in Sri Lanka i.e. in Jaffna and Colombo.

45. Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff recently (in December ‘24) named as brand ambassadors for
which event?
1) World Pickleball Championship
2) World Wrestling Championship
3) T20 World Cup
4) World Boxing Cup
5) Kho Kho World Cup
Answer- 5) Kho Kho World Cup
Explanation:
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has announced Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff as the brand
ambassadors for the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup, which will be held from 13th to
19th January 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi and the
Noida Indoor Stadium.
• The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 features 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams from 24
different countries.
• Recently in October 2024 KKFI unveiled the World Cup’s official logo and tagline
#TheWorldGoesKho

46. Renowned Malayalam writer,filmmaker and Padma Bhushan Awardee MT Vasudevan Nair
passed away at the age of 91 in Kozhikode, Kerala.
When did he receive the Padma Bhushan award for literature and education?
1) 2002
2) 2005
3) 2013
4) 2019
5) 2022
Answer- 2) 2005
Explanation:
Renowned Malayalam writer, filmmaker and Padma Bhushan Awardee MT Vasudevan Nair(known
as MT), passed away at the age of 91 in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was born in 1933 at Kudallur, Kerala.
• In 2005, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour for
literature and education.
• MT Vasudevan Nair began his career as a sub-editor in the Malayalam weekly ‘Mathrubhumi’
in 1956 and later became its editor in 1968.

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 • He authored 9 novels, 19 collections of short stories and published several collections of essays
and memoirs over a career spanning seven decades.
• He directed six films, including the evocative Nirmalyam, a Malayalam film, along with two
documentaries. He wrote around 54 screenplays and his screenplays have earned four
National Awards and 11 State Awards.
• His novel Naalukettu (Ancestral Home- translated to English as The Legacy) won the Kerala
Sahitya Akademi Award in 1958. He received the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary
honour in 1995 for his overall contribution to Malayalam literature.
• In 2013, he received the J C Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema and he
was honoured with the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian honour from the
Kerala government in 2022.
• He won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for ‘Oru Vadakkan
Veeragatha’ (1989), ‘Kadavu’ (1991), ‘Sadayam’ (1992), and ‘Parinayam’ (1994).

47. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Good Governance Day, also
known as ‘Sushasan Diwas’?
A) Good Governance Day, also known as ‘Sushasan Diwas’ in Hindi, is annually observed across
India on 24th December to mark the birth anniversary of the former (10th) Prime Minister
(PM) Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
B) The 4th Good Governance Week (Sushasan Saptah) is celebrated annually from 19th to 25th
December.
C) DARPG conducted the “Prashasan Gaon ki Ore Campaign”, India’s largest people-centric
campaign for citizen-centric governance.
D) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences
launched the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative.
E) Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh launched the “Karmayogi Website” and its “Mobile
App” which aims to provide public access to important information about national events.
1) Only A, B & C
2) Only A, C & E
3) Only B, C & D
4) Only C & E
5) All the above
Answer- 3) Only B, C & D
Explanation:
Good Governance Day, also known as ‘Sushasan Diwas’ in Hindi, is annually observed across India on
25th December to mark the birth anniversary of the former (10th) Prime Minister (PM) Late Atal
Bihari Vajpayee. The day also aims to create awareness of accountability and administration of
government among the people.
• 25th December 2024 marks the 11th Good Governance Day and 100th birth anniversary of
Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Theme of Good Governance Day 2024 “India’s Path to a Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens
through Good Governance and Digitalisation,”.
• The 4th Good Governance Week (Sushasan Saptah) is celebrated annually from 19th to 25th
December.

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 • The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) conducted the 4th
Sushasan Saptah (Good Governance Week) from December 19-25, 2024, alongside the
“Prashasan Gaon ki Ore Campaign”, India’s largest people-centric campaign for citizen-
centric governance.
• Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh launched the “Rashtraparv Website” and its “Mobile
App” (application) which aims to provide public access to important information about
national events like Republic Day, Independence Day, and the Beating Retreat Ceremony.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO,
Atomic Energy, and Space, launched the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative.
• On Good Governance Day (December 25), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed
between the Water Resources Department of Gujarat and Space Applications Centre- Indian
Space Research Organisation (SAC-ISRO) under the chairmanship of Gujarat Chief Minister
(CM) Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar (Gujarat). Click here to read more.

48. Which country has recently (in December ‘24) signed a bipartisan bill that officially
designates the “Bald Eagle” as their National bird?
1) Canada
2) China
3) Singapore
4) United Kingdom
5) United States of America
Answer- 5) United States of America
Explanation:
In December 2024, President of the United States of America (USA), Joseph Robinette Biden signed a
bipartisan bill that officially designates the “Bald Eagle” as the National bird of the USA. The
significant recognition formalizes the bald eagle’s role as a symbol of American strength and power, a
position it has held informally for over 240 years.
• The bald eagle has been a symbol of the USA since 1782, when it was featured on the Great
Seal of the USA. The seal includes the eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a shield, the motto “E
Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One)” and a constellation of stars.
• The bald eagle is native to North America, Canada, the USA and appears on various national
emblems, including the presidential flag, USA currency and military insignia.
• Haliaeetus leucocephalus is the scientific name of the bald eagle, known for its striking
white head and yellow beak atop its brown body.

49. Who has been recently (in December ‘24) honoured with the Sri Chandrasekarendra
Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public Leadership from the South Indian Education
Society (SIES)?
1) Narendra Modi
2) Piyush Goyal
3) Dharmendra Pradhan
4) Nirmala Sitharaman
5) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Answer- 5) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

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Explanation:
In December 2024, Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA),
was awarded the Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public
Leadership from the South Indian Education Society (SIES), one of India’s oldest educational societies,
headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The award is named after Mahaswami Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi, also known
as Maha Periyavar, a revered spiritual leader and the “Sage of Kancheepuram.”
• The Award is an annual recognition presented by the SIES to individuals who have made
outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

50. In December 2024, James Earl Carter Jr., Former President of USA and the Nobel Laureate
passed away.
Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to James Earl Carter Jr?
A) He served as the 39th President from 1977 to 1981 where he successfully negotiated the
‘Camp David Accords’ in 1978, leading to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in Middle
Eastern diplomacy.
B) He received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in 1996 for
his post-presidential humanitarian work, including efforts in global health, human rights and
conflict resolution.
C) He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for recognizing his decades of work in
advocating for peace, democracy and human rights.
1) Only A & B
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & C
Explanation:
On December 29 2024, James Earl Carter Jr.(also known as Jimmy Carter), former President of the
United States of America (USA) and the Nobel Laureate passed away at the age of 100 in Georgia, the
USA. He was born on October 1, 1924 in Georgia.
• He received numerous accolades and awards including the ‘Nobel Peace Prize’ and ‘Grammy
Awards’ reflecting his humanitarian efforts on the world stage.
• Jimmy Carter was a prominent American politician, Businessman (a peanut farmer, the US
Navy officer, evangelist, negotiator, author, woodworker and humanitarian.
• He won a state Senate seat in 1962 and began his political career by serving as the 76th
governor of Georgia, the USA from 1971 to 1975.
• He served as the 39th President from 1977 to 1981 where he successfully negotiated the
‘Camp David Accords’ in 1978, leading to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in Middle
Eastern diplomacy.
• Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development (1997): He received the
award for his post-presidential humanitarian work, including efforts in global health, human
rights and conflict resolution.
• Nobel Peace Prize (2002): He was awarded for recognizing his decades of work in advocating
for peace, democracy and human rights.

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 • Grammy Award (2016) & (2019): He won the awards for his spoken word album, further
demonstrating the breadth of his contributions in his audiobooks beyond politics.

STATIC GK

51. Who has been recently (in December ‘24) appointed as the Honorary President of the
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London?
1) Geetanjali Lal
2) Resul Pookutty
3) A.R. Rahman
4) Prabhu Deva
5) M.M. Keeravani
Answer- 3) A.R. Rahman
Explanation:
Renowned composer and award winning musician A.R. Rahman has been appointed the Honorary
President of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, a prestigious institution based in
London known for its innovative programs in music, musical theatre, and contemporary dance.
• Rahman, who has made a mark both in Indian and international music scenes, will serve in this
honorary role for a five-year term, further cementing his influence in the world of performing
arts.
• He has achieved international acclaim, winning two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards,
and a BAFTA. His iconic compositions, including those for Slumdog Millionaire and Bombay
Dreams, continue to inspire audiences worldwide.

52. Which bank has recently (in December ‘24) has launched a “FEMA (Foreign Exchange
Management Act) Centre of Excellence” proposition to help clients navigate and comply with
the dynamic regulatory environment and enhance efficiencies?
1) DBS Bank
2) Barclays
3) Deutsche Bank
4) World Bank
5) Standard Chartered Bank
Answer- 5) Standard Chartered Bank
Explanation:
Standard Chartered Bank, India, has launched a “FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) Centre
of Excellence” proposition to help clients navigate and comply with the dynamic regulatory
environment and enhance efficiencies.
• Bank introduced a self-service capability to optimise the cross-border payments journey for its
clients where a document repository for initiating outward remittances from India is available
on Straight2Bank (S2B), which is Standard Chartered’s fully integrated internet banking digital
platform.

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53. Who has recently (in December ‘24) won the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024?
1) Archimedes Motari
2) Lilian Nuwabaine
3) Maria Victoria Juan
4) Laarni Conlu Florencio
5) Johnsy Inni
Answer- 3) Maria Victoria Juan
Explanation:
Maria Victoria Juan, a nurse from the Philippines, was declared the winner of the Aster Guardians
Global Nursing Award 2024 and was presented with an award of Rs 2 crore at an award ceremony
held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award was launched by Aster DM Healthcare in 2021,
with an aim to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of nurses to patients
across the world.
• The 2024 edition of the awards saw an overwhelming participation from 78,000 nurses from
202 countries, marking 50% growth in applications received in 2023.

54. Where has Google recently (in December ‘24) decided to establish India’s first Google
Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC)?
1) Bengaluru, Karnataka
2) Hyderabad, Telangana
3) Pune, Maharashtra
4) Noida, Uttar Pradesh
5) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Answer- 2) Hyderabad, Telangana
Explanation:
In December 2024, Google chose Hyderabad to set up Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC). The
Telangana government has entered into a ‘strategically-crucial’ and broad ranging partnership with
Google with the company asserting that it is committed to establishing India’s first Google Safety
Engineering Centre (GSEC) in the city.
• It would be the first-of-its-kind in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, after Tokyo, and only the fifth
in the world, with similar facilities in Dublin, Munich and Malaga.
• This GSEC is a specialized international cybersecurity hub that will play a vital role in
developing advanced security and online safety products for the Indian context.
• It also aims to foster skill development, boost employment, and enhance cybersecurity
capabilities in India.

55. Which organisation has recently (in December ‘24) hosted the 14th Asia-Oceania
Meteorological Satellite Users' Conference (AOMSUC-14) in New Delhi, Delhi?
1) Indian Space Research Organisation
2) Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
3) India Meteorological Department
4) National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
5) Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Answer- 3) India Meteorological Department

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Explanation:
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth
Sciences inaugurated the 14th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users' Conference (AOMSUC-14)
held from 4th to 6th December 2024, in New Delhi, Delhi. The conference is hosted by the India
Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• He hailed "Mission Mausam" as a transformative initiative set to be a game-changer for India's
weather forecast capabilities India’s approach to climate and weather forecasting.
• He congratulated IMD on its 150th year of establishment, calling it a landmark moment in the
nation’s scientific journey.

56. According to the Global Trade Update recently (in December ‘24) published by the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Global trade is set to hit a historic
__________________ in 2024.
1) USD 22 trillion
2) USD 25 trillion
3) USD 28 trillion
4) USD 33 trillion
5) USD 36 trillion
Answer- 4) USD 33 trillion
Explanation:
In December 2024, Global trade is set to reach a record USD 33 trillion in 2024 according to the latest
Global Trade Update by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), USD 1
trillion increase over 2023 reflecting 3.3% annual growth, highlights resilience in global trade despite
persistent challenges.
• Robust growth in services trade, up 7% for the year, accounted for half of the expansion, while
goods trade rose 2% but remained below its 2022 peak.
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and apparel trade surged, with increases of
13% and 14%, respectively, in the third quarter 2024. This growth underscores the potential
for diversification and entry into value-added industries.

57. Which organisation has recently (in December ‘24) granted approval to National Dope
Testing Laboratory as an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU)?
1) International Olympic Committee
2) World Anti-Doping Agency
3) National Anti-Doping Agency
4) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
5) International Association of Athletics Federations
Answer- 2) World Anti-Doping Agency
Explanation:
In December 2024, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) granted approval for the New Delhi
based National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) as an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) to
manage the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). This milestone marks a significant achievement for
India in advancing its anti-doping initiatives.

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 • The ABP is an advanced anti-doping tool that monitors an athlete’s biological markers over
time, which include blood and steroid profiles. This helps to ensure fair play in sports and to
protect clean athletes.
• Now, India is part of a group of the 17 APMUs approved by WADA worldwide. India’s APMU
would serve the country as well as the anti-doping organizations of neighbouring countries.

58. Who has been recently (in December ‘24) appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TransUnion CIBIL?
1) Bhavesh Jain
2) Sunil Mehta
3) Rajesh Kumar
4) Anil Gupta
5) Arvind Kumar
Answer- 1) Bhavesh Jain
Explanation:
TransUnion CIBIL, India’s leading insights and information company announced the appointment of
Bhavesh Jain as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will replace Rajesh
Kumar, who recently resigned after five years.
• Jain has been promoted to MD and CEO’s post from the position of chief revenue officer in the
company.
• He had previously worked at Thomson Reuters, Citi and Kone.

59. Which bank has recently (in December ‘24) celebrated its 30th anniversary by launching
Customized My Stamps in partnership with India Post?
1) ICICI Bank
2) HDFC Bank
3) Axis Bank
4) IndusInd Bank
5) Federal Bank
Answer- 4) IndusInd Bank
Explanation:
IndusInd Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary, reflecting on three transformative decades at the
forefront of technological advancements and digital innovations, shaping the future of banking in
India.
• The Bank announced its partnership with India Post to launch the Customized My Stamp to
mark this important milestone. The Department of Post, Government of India will be releasing
the sheets of these Customized My Stamps.
• The Customized My Stamps marks an important initiative in the Bank's journey and its role in
driving innovation and customer-focused solutions in the financial sector.

60. Who authored and released the book 'Dalai Lama's Secret to Happiness' at the Tibetan
Works and Archives (LTWA) Library in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh?
1) Dr. Dinesh Shahra
2) Sudha Murty
3) Nandan Nilekani

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4) Meenaz Kassam
5) Arun Kumar
Answer- 1) Dr. Dinesh Shahra
Explanation:
Renowned philanthropist, author and thought leader Dr. Dinesh Shahra released his book, 'Dalai
Lama's Secret to Happiness', at the Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) Library in Dharamshala,
Himachal Pradesh (HP).
• The event marked a significant moment in celebrating the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama and the preservation of Tibetan culture.

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