Q1.What is the primary objective of the GSAT 20 satellite, recently in news?
[A] Earth observation
[B] Communication
[C] Weather monitoring
[D] Navigation
Answer: B
Details:-
For the first time, ISRO will launch its latest large satellite, GSAT 20, on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. GSAT 20, a hi-tech communication satellite, weighs 4,700 kg and has a throughput capacity of 48 GBPS. It features 32 spot beams covering all of India, especially the Northeast. Owned by ISRO’s commercial arm NSIL, it uses SpaceX due to the limitations of India’s Launch Vehicle Mark 3.
Q2.Which state government recently introduced first witness protection scheme for better justice delivery?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Sikkim
[D] Nagaland
Answer: A
Details:-
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced the state’s inaugural Witness Protection Scheme to bolster the justice delivery system. The scheme, aligned with Section 398 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, aims to safeguard witnesses facing threats during investigations and trials. Witnesses can apply for protection under the scheme through a prescribed form before a competent authority, ensuring fair trials and security against intimidation.
Q3.What is Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), recently seen in the news?
[A] A common cold
[B] A rare, usually fatal infection of the central nervous system
[C] A type of cancer
[D] A bacterial infection of the lungs
Answer: B
Details:-
Due to continued rain in Kerala, the health department cautioned against amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare, usually fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. This amoeba thrives in warm, shallow waters and enters the brain through the nose. Early symptoms include fever, headache, and vomiting, progressing to stiff neck, seizures, hallucinations, and coma. Symptoms typically appear within five days of infection.
Q4.Recently, which country has become the first country in the world to prepare a checklist of its entire fauna?
[A] Bhutan
[B] India
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Answer: B
Details:-
India has become the first country to prepare a comprehensive checklist of its entire fauna population, documenting 104,561 species. This milestone, announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Kolkata, coincided with the launch of the Fauna of India Checklist Portal by the Zoological Survey of India. This portal, vital for scientific research, encompasses 121 checklists of all known taxa. The event also featured the 2nd Animal Taxonomy Summit-2024.
Q5.Which team won the 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating the South Africa team?
[A] India
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Answer: A
Details:-
The Indian men’s cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, won the 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa by 7 runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 29 June 2024. This is India’s second T20 World Cup win, following their 2007 victory. The final marked the T20 retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. It was also Rahul Dravid’s last assignment as coach.
Q6.INS Ranvir, recently seen in news, belongs to which type of class?
[A] Seawolf
[B] Rajput
[C] Scorpene
[D] Kalavari
Answer: B
Details:-
Indian Naval Ship INS Ranvir, a Rajput Class Guided Missile Destroyer, arrived in Chattogram, Bangladesh for an Operational Deployment. Commissioned in 1986, the upgraded ship features state-of-the-art indigenous weapons and sensors. The visit includes professional interactions, community outreach, and sports with Bangladeshi naval personnel. INS Ranvir will also participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise. This visit enhances India-Bangladesh friendship, cooperation, and regional security, aligned with India’s SAGAR initiative.
Q7.Which day is observed as ‘Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day’ every year?
[A] 1 July
[B] 2 July
[C] 3 July
[D] 4 July
Answer: A
Details:-
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day, observed annually on July 1, commemorates the implementation of India’s transformative tax system. The 2024 celebration marks the seventh anniversary of GST, introduced to simplify the complex tax structure previously managed by central and state governments. GST revolutionized India’s fiscal landscape, significantly impacting the economy by streamlining indirect taxes and fostering economic efficiency.
Q8.Recently, which state has set a record by generating one crore tokens through the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID?
[A] Bihar
[B] Haryana
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Answer: D
Details:-
Uttar Pradesh set a record by generating one crore tokens through the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID, with a total of 1,43,00,000 tokens. Andhra Pradesh follows with 60,33,104 tokens, and Karnataka with 42,57,944. The Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines, updated in 2022, set quality benchmarks for healthcare facilities. The Health Ministry’s dashboard helps monitor compliance with IPHS standards, ensuring consistent and accountable healthcare nationwide.
Q9.Recently, which country’s Navy has signed a deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bangladesh
[D] China
Answer: C
Details:-
The Bangladesh Navy signed a significant deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug, part of a $500-million line of credit from India for defence equipment. The contract was finalized in Dhaka, witnessed by GRSE and Bangladesh Navy officials. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Bangladesh coincided with the deal, emphasizing bilateral defence ties and exploring new naval cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
Q10.Where was the 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ held?
[A] Kolkata, West Bengal
[B] Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
[C] Umroi, Meghalaya
[D] Guwahati, Assam
Answer: C
Details:-
The 16th India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant started at Umroi, Meghalaya, running from July 3 to 16, 2024. It involves 45 Indian personnel and Mongolian Army’s 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion. The annual event, alternating between the countries, focuses on counter-insurgency in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Key attendees include Mongolian Ambassador Dambajavyn Ganbold and Major General Prasanna Joshi. The exercise enhances interoperability and defense cooperation.
Q11.Bharat Bill Payment System, recently mentioned in the news, is a payment channel system conceptualized by which institution?
[A] RBI
[B] NABARD
[C] SBI
[D] SEBI
Answer: A
Details:-
The RBI has mandated that all credit card bill payments via third-party apps must be routed through the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). Managed by NPCI, BBPS offers a centralized platform for bill payments. This affects users of major banks and apps like CRED, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, and Paytm. The move aims to regulate peer-to-peer transactions and ensure centralized monitoring.
Q12.Chandravalli cave, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Answer: A
Details:-
Exploring the Chandravalli cave complex in Karnataka, also known as Ankali Math, reveals a historical site with multiple chambers including a puja area with a shivlinga. Excavations uncovered artifacts from the Hoysala, Satavahana, and Vijayanagara dynasties, and a rock inscription from the Kadamba dynasty. The site shows connections to Rome and China through discovered coins and features paintings done in organic paint.
Q13.Recently, Tata Power Solar Systems Limited has launched ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in which state?
[A] Manipur
[B] Assam
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Answer: C
Details:-
Tata Power Solar Systems launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ project in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to promote clean energy. About 10 lakh homes can install rooftop solar systems, benefiting from up to Rs. 1,08,000 in subsidies under PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Using advanced bifacial panels, installations take just 7 days. A typical 3 kW system can save households up to INR 27,000 annually and allows net metering for extra savings.
Q14.Recently, the CA Institute has initiated talks with which ministry to jointly develop an ‘AI Audit Tool’ to track performance of corporate India and detect corporate frauds?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Answer: D
Details:-
CA Institute and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) are collaborating to develop an AI Audit Tool to track corporate performance and detect frauds, announced President Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal. This tool will help companies remain ‘going concerns’. Agarwal highlighted the focus on ‘AI in ICAI’ during his presidency. ICAI has allocated ₹25 crore for AI tools, with plans to increase the budget to ₹100 crore.
Q15.Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, recently seen in news, are located in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Karnataka
[C] Odisha
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Answer: C
Details:-
President Droupadi Murmu visited Odisha for four days, exploring the Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves in Bhubaneswar. These caves, built around the 2nd century BC by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty, are early examples of rock-cut cave tradition in Odisha. Udayagiri is notable for the Hathigumpha inscription in Brahmi script, detailing Kharavela’s military campaigns. Murmu also engaged with students from Bibhuti Kanungo College of Art & Crafts and Utkal University of Culture.
Q16.Khandwa Forest, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Answer: A
Details:-
The Khandwa forest department, Madhya Pradesh reclaimed 100 hectares of encroached jungle used for farming, destroying illegal soybean and corn crops. Despite heavy rains, earthmoving machines and tractors were employed. The operation included digging contour trenches and sent a strong message to encroachers. Efforts will continue to clear remaining areas, followed by reforestation with seed balls and wire fencing. A detailed afforestation plan will be prepared after reclaiming a total of 2000 hectares this year.
Q17.Teesta River, recently seen in news, originates from which glacier?
[A] Pahunri Glacier
[B] Baltoro Glacier
[C] Pindari Glacier
[D] Milam Glacier
Answer: A
Details:-
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concerns over the Teesta River’s water scarcity in summer and overflow during monsoons, and emphasized the need to renew the Farakka Treaty. Originating from the Pahunri Glacier in the Sikkim Himalayas, the Teesta River flows through Sikkim, West Bengal, and into Bangladesh, joining the Brahmaputra. Known for its turbulent flow, the Teesta has a 414 km length and a drainage area of 12,540 sq. km.
Q18.Vadhavan Port, recently seen in the news, is a proposed greenfield deep-sea port located in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Maharashtra
Answer: D
Details:-
India’s ambitious Vadhavan Port project, located on the Maharashtra coast near Gujarat, aims to become one of the world’s top 10 container ports. With a projected cost of Rs 76,220 crore, it will handle 298 MMT annually and 23.2 million TEUs, starting with 15 million TEUs in Phase 1. Featuring nine container terminals, specialized berths, rail connectivity, and onshore facilities, it will significantly expand India’s maritime capacity by reclaiming 1,448 hectares of sea land, set for completion by 2030.
Q19.Which state government recently announced free higher education policy for EWS, SEBC, OBC girls?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Odisha
Answer: C
Details:-
The Maharashtra government has announced a new policy making higher education free for girls from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Effective from the 2024-25 academic year, this initiative aims to increase female participation in professional courses and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP). Additionally, tuition and exam fees for orphaned students will be waived, with a budget of Rs. 906 crore allocated.
Q20.Hannibal Directive, recently seen in the news, is a military tactic of which country?
[A] China
[B] Israel
[C] Ukraine
[D] Japan
Answer: B
Details:-
The Israeli military reportedly employed the Hannibal Directive during the October 7 Hamas attack. This controversial doctrine, also known as the Hannibal Procedure or Hannibal Protocol, advocates using maximum force to prevent the capture of soldiers, even at the cost of military and civilian lives. The doctrine, originating from the 1985 Jibril Agreement, aims to avoid politically painful prisoner swaps by eliminating everyone near a captive Israeli soldier, risking the soldier’s life. Named after the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who chose death over capture, the policy’s full text remains unpublished. It has been widely criticized by legal experts for disregarding human life.
