1. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2024 is instituted by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024 to 17 children on December 26. The award celebrates the energy, determination, and enthusiasm of children. It is the highest civilian honor for children in India. It is instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Awards recognize exceptional achievements in seven categories: Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, Sports, and Environment.
2. M.T. Vasudevan Nair, who recently passed away, was associated with which field?
[A] Science and Technology
[B] Agriculture
[C] Sports
[D] Literature
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Literature]
Notes:
MT Vasudevan Nair, renowned writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker, was celebrated for capturing human emotions and rural life. Born in 1933 in Kudallur, Kerala, he became a prominent figure in Malayalam literature and cinema over seven decades. His works include novels, short stories, screenplays, and films, deeply resonating with diverse audiences. He passed away at 91, marking the end of an era in Indian literature and cinema. Early life influences came from Kudallur and Punnayurkulam; he completed schooling locally and graduated in chemistry from Victoria College, Palakkad, in 1953.
3. Recently, who becomes the youngest female to climb highest peaks in all 7 continents?
[A] Pragati Bisht
[B] Kaamya Karthikeyan
[C] Sanaya Gupta
[D] Kirti Rawat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kaamya Karthikeyan]
Notes:
Kaamya Karthikeyan, 17, became the youngest female to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, completing the Seven Summits Challenge. She reached Mount Vinson in Antarctica on December 24, 2024, at 17:20 Chilean Standard Time with her father, Cdr S Karthikeyan. Previously, she scaled Mt Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt Elbrus (Europe), Mt Kosciuszko (Australia), Mt Aconcagua (South America), Mt Denali (North America), and Mt Everest (Asia). A Class 12 student at Navy Children School, Mumbai, Kaamya’s achievements have been praised by the Indian Navy and Prime Minister Modi. Her journey inspires young adventurers worldwide.
4. Who has been appointed as the new Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)?
[A] A.P. Maheshwari
[B] Prakash Mishra
[C] O P Singh
[D] Vitul Kumar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vitul Kumar]
Notes:
Vitul Kumar, a 1993 batch IPS officer from Uttar Pradesh, is appointed Acting Director General of the CRPF after Anish Dayal Singh’s retirement. Born in Bhatinda, Punjab, Kumar holds a degree in Electronics Engineering, enhancing his analytical skills in law enforcement. He has held key positions in the CRPF, progressing from Deputy Inspector General in 2009 to Special Director General in 2023. Kumar’s awards include the President’s Police Medal (2021) and Police Medal (2009).
5. K. S. Manilal, who recently passed away, was associated with which field?
[A] Journalism
[B] Taxonomy
[C] Sports
[D] Politics
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Taxonomy]
Notes:
K S Manilal, a renowned taxonomist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on 1st January 2025 in Thrissur, Kerala. He is celebrated for translating and annotating Hortus Malabaricus, a 17th-century Latin botanical treatise on the flora of Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa. Manilal spent 35 years making the 12-volume work accessible to academics during his tenure as a botany professor at the University of Calicut (1976–1999). His contributions include 198 research papers, 15 books, and extensive work on medicinal plants and taxonomy. He played a key role in conserving Kerala’s Silent Valley rainforest in the 1980s.
6. Rajagopala Chidambaram, who recently passed away, was associated with which field?
[A] Nuclear physics
[B] Politics
[C] Social Work
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nuclear physics]
Notes:
Eminent physicist Rajagopala Chidambaram, key figure in India’s nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998, passed away at 88. Born in 1936, Chidambaram studied at Presidency College, Chennai, and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.. He served as Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (2001-2018) and director of BARC (1990-1993). Chidambaram was chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE (1993-2000). He also chaired the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1994-1995.
7. Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz, who recently announced her resignation, belongs to which country?
[A] Cameroon
[B] Sao Tome and Principe
[C] Chad
[D] Democratic Republic of the Congo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sao Tome and Principe ]
Notes:
São Tomé and Príncipe Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz resigned after her proposed cabinet list was publicly leaked before informing President Carlos Vila Nova. Amado Vaz, a former justice minister, was appointed prime minister following the dissolution of Patrice Trovoada’s government. São Tomé and Príncipe is a small archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, covering just over 1,000 sq. km.
8. Who has been appointed Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recently?
[A] Gyanendra Pratap Singh
[B] Akhilesh Sinha
[C] Deepak Kumar
[D] Ravideep Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gyanendra Pratap Singh]
Notes:
Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh is appointed as Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The CRPF, India’s premier central police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensures internal security. It was established in 1939 as the Crown Representative’s Police during political unrest in princely states.
9. Who was honored with the Maharaja Hari Singh Award 2025 in Reforms and Planning?
[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Manoj Sinha
[C] Rajnath Singh
[D] Piyush Goyal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manoj Sinha]
Notes:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha received the Maharaja Hari Singh Award in Reforms and Planning at a grand ceremony in Jammu. The event was organized by Gulistan News Network as part of the Maharaja Hari Singh Peace and Harmony Award 2024-25 celebrations. The award recognized LG Sinha’s contributions to reforms and planning in Jammu and Kashmir. He paid tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh, highlighting his role in J&K’s integration with India. He also honored Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, Pandit Girdhari Lal Dogra, and Shri Devender Singh Rana for their dedication to public welfare. Maharaja Hari Singh was praised as a key architect of modern Jammu and Kashmir for his revolutionary reforms.
10. Which organization recently received the award for its 2024 voter awareness campaign during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024?
[A] Doordarshan
[B] NDTV
[C] NewsNation
[D] Sansad TV
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Doordarshan]
Notes:
Doordarshan received an award for its voter awareness campaign during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. It won in the Electronic Media category for its special series “Chunav Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv”. The initiative helped educate first-time voters and strengthened India’s democratic process. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Doordarshan’s Director-General Kanchan Prasad on Republic Day 2025. The award recognizes Doordarshan’s commitment to responsible media outreach across India.