1. Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] India
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
French President praised over 1,000 craftspeople who rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. Notre-Dame is a famous Gothic cathedral in located in Paris, France. It is known for its size, age, and architectural features. Its construction began in 1163 and continued throughout the Gothic period, completed by 1250. It was the site of significant events, including Napoleon’s coronation and royal weddings. A fire on April 15, 2019, severely damaged the roof and spire. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing naturalistic sculptures and stained-glass windows.
2. Gharchola handicraft, which has recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, belongs to which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Odisha
[C] Gujarat
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
Gujarat’s iconic handicraft ‘Gharchola’ has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, bringing the state’s GI count to 27, with 23 focused on handicrafts. The GI tag was awarded at the ‘GI and Beyond – Virasat Se Vikas Tak’ event in New Delhi. This recognition enhances Gharchola’s prestige and market presence globally.
3. RESET Programme is an initiative of which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Tourism
[B] Ministry of Agriculture
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme. The aim is to support retired athletes’ career development through education, internships, and skill enhancement. Eligibility includes retired athletes aged 20-50, with achievements in recognized events. The program offers 16 specialized courses like Strength & Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, Yoga, and Sports Entrepreneurship. It combines academic learning with internships to provide practical exposure. The objective is to fill the human resource gap in the sports sector and offer career paths for retired athletes.
4. Which ministry has launched the Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) portal?
[A] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[B] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Labour and Employment]
Notes:
The PENCiL portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. It has five components: Central Government, State Government, District Project Societies, Child Tracking System, and Complaint Corner. District Nodal Officers (DNOs) are appointed to ensure strict implementation of the Act. A model State Action Plan (SAP) guides State Governments in eradicating child labour, focusing on migrant, girl, and SC/ST children. The portal promotes efficient monitoring and grievance redressal to combat child labour effectively.
5. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been elected as the first female president of which country?
[A] Cameroon
[B] Malawi
[C] Namibia
[D] Botswana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Namibia]
Notes:
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s vice president, has been elected as the country’s first female president, securing 57% of the votes. She defeated Panduleni Itula of IPC, who received 26%, and SWAPO continues its 34-year dominance. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory ensures SWAPO retains power since Namibia’s independence in 1990. She has held key roles, including foreign minister, and is seen as a unifying figure. SWAPO also won 51 out of 96 National Assembly seats. Namibia faces challenges like high unemployment and inequality, despite political stability.
6. Which country has launched the world’s first ‘self-driving’ satellites?
[A] France
[B] North Korea
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
China launched the world’s first self-driving satellites, Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04, marking a milestone in its commercial space program. Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), these satellites can autonomously adjust their flight paths without ground control. They feature synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-precision radar, allowing them to return to orbit with 100-meter accuracy and perform formation-flying at sub-meter precision. The satellites will provide all-weather radar imagery for industries like natural resource management, disaster response, agriculture monitoring, and urban safety.
7. Who has been awarded the 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development?
[A] Michelle Bachelet
[B] Joko Widodo
[C] Dina Boluarte
[D] Claudia Sheinbaum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Michelle Bachelet]
Notes:
Former Chile President Michelle Bachelet has been awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development 2024. She is recognized for her contributions to gender equality, human rights, and democracy. The Indira Gandhi Prize honors efforts promoting international peace, disarmament, and development. The award includes ₹10 million, a trophy, and a citation. Recipients are selected by a jury of 5-9 eminent persons appointed by the Chairperson of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
8. Which day is observed as International Anti-Corruption Day every year?
[A] December 7
[B] December 8
[C] December 9
[D] December 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [December 9]
Notes:
December 9th marks International Anti-Corruption Day to raise awareness about corruption and promote collective action against it. Corruption in India affects both public and private sectors, manifesting as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and misuse of power. It undermines economic growth, erodes public trust, weakens the rule of law, and impacts citizens’ welfare. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranks India 80th among 180 countries, highlighting the issue’s seriousness.
9. The Bihar government has recently organised the ‘Makhana Mahotsav’ in which city?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Kolkata
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Bihar government hosted a two-day ‘Makhana Mahotsav’ in Bengaluru to expand the market for Bihar’s makhana and other food products in Karnataka. The event aims to establish Bihar as a leader in makhana production and promote its cultural and economic significance. Bihar produces 50% of India’s makhana, with Bengaluru acting as a gateway to South Indian markets. A dedicated research center for improving makhana production has been established, and its GI tag has boosted international recognition. Makhana production has created significant employment, with the market reaching Rs 150 crore in 2023-2024.
10. Which institute has built India’s first Hyperloop test track?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Kanpur
[D] IIT Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Madras]
Notes:
IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track, a milestone for India’s modern transportation technology. The Hyperloop concept, introduced by Elon Musk in 2012, features trains moving in a frictionless, vacuum-sealed environment. This project is developed by IIT Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team, comprising 76 students, in collaboration with the startup TuTr. Hyperloop trains can achieve speeds up to 1,100 kmph, with operational speeds around 360 kmph, ensuring faster and energy-efficient travel. Plans include an 11.5-km test track in Phase 1 and expansion to 100 km in Phase 2. A Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop project aims to cut travel time to 25 minutes.