1. Which state government received the prestigious SKOCH Award for its initiative ‘Shaasan Aplya Daari’ (Government at your doorstep)?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra’s ‘Shashan Aaplya Dari’ initiative won the SKOCH Award for its innovation and impact in governance. The program, meaning “government at your doorsteps,” delivers government schemes directly to people. It was launched in Satara in May 2023. More than 280 projects nationwide competed, showcasing its effectiveness. The initiative aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and will evolve into ‘Shashan Aaplya Dari 2.0’ under Eknath Shinde’s guidance for further growth. The SKOCH Award is an award that recognizes people, projects, and institutions that work to improve India. It was established in 2003 and is considered one of the highest civilian honors in the country.
2. Recently, who has been honored with UN Global Excellence Award for Contributions to Healthcare and Philanthropy?
[A] Prabhakar Sinha
[B] Basant Goel
[C] Vikram Mehta
[D] Ravindra Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Basant Goel]
Notes:
Dr. Basant Goel was honored at the United Nations Global Excellence Award in Dubai and received an honorary doctorate from the USA International University. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy, a Ph.D. in Diabetes, and a Doctorate in Health Science from prestigious U.S. institutions. His humanitarian work gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning a World Book of Records (London) mention. On July 6, 2024, he set a Guinness World Record for the most blood donations in a single camp, ensuring 200 daily units in India. Named “Blood Man of India” by the President, he was hosted at the President’s House for four days. The International Book of Honour (England) recognized his contributions on October 26, 2024.
3. Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI recently conducted between India and which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Japan
[C] Malaysia
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Malaysia]
Notes:
The 4th India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI conducted at Bentong camp, Pahang, Malaysia. It is scheduled from December 2 to 15, 2024. It involves 78 Indian personnel from the MAHAR Regiment and 123 Malaysian personnel from the Royal Malaysian Regiment. The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain under the UN Mandate’s Chapter VII. It includes cross-training, simulated drills like Anti-MT Ambush, Recce Patrol, and terrorist area attacks. This annual event alternates between the two countries, enhancing interoperability, defence cooperation, and bilateral ties.
4. Who won the women’s singles title at the Syed Modi International Badminton Tournament 2024?
[A] PV Sindhu
[B] Saina Nehwal
[C] Tanya Hemanth
[D] Malvika Bansod
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [PV Sindhu]
Notes:
PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won the women’s and men’s titles at the 2024 Syed Modi International badminton tournament. This marked Sindhu’s first BWF (Badminton World Federation) title since the 2022 Singapore Open, ending her title drought. Sindhu defeated China’s Wu Luo Yu 21-14, 21-16 in the final. The tournament was held at Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, from November 26 to December 1, 2024.
5. What kind of disease is “Anthrax”, that was recently seen in news?
[A] Viral
[B] Bacterial
[C] Fungal
[D] Parasitic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bacterial]
Notes:
A female elephant recently died of suspected anthrax at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Anthrax is caused by Bacteria ‘Bacillus anthracis’, a spore-forming bacterium found in soil. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals through contaminated soil, plants, or water. Humans can contract anthrax by contact with infected animals or their products, contaminated food or water, or spores entering the skin. Anthrax is not contagious between people and occurs in three forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational. The bacteria’s spores can survive in soil for years, posing long-term risks to animals and humans.
6. The Red-Breasted Flycatcher, a migratory bird from Eastern Europe, was recently spotted in which region of India?
[A] Sundarbans, West Bengal
[B] Ameenpur Lake, Hyderabad
[C] Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh
[D] Chilika Lake, Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ameenpur Lake, Hyderabad]
Notes:
The Red-Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) was recently spotted at Ameenpur Lake in Hyderabad. It is a small bird (11-12 cm) from the Old World Flycatcher family. Males have a reddish-orange throat, while females are brown. The bird has a unique toe arrangement, aiding in clinging to branches. It migrates from Eastern Europe to South Asia to escape harsh winters. Breeds in Eastern Europe and Central Asia during spring and summer, migrating to India from October to March. It is listed as Least Concern by IUCN.
7. Which day is observed as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery annually?
[A] 1 December
[B] 2 December
[C] 3 December
[D] 4 December
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 December]
Notes:
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed on December 2 to raise awareness about modern slavery, human trafficking, and promote human rights. It marks the adoption of the UN Convention to suppress trafficking and exploitation in 1949. Slavery today includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, child labor, and forced marriage. The UN reports one in ten children work globally, mostly for economic exploitation. India has the highest number of modern slaves, with over 11 million affected.
8. Which Indian city is the host of Asian Women’s Handball Championship 2024?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Shillong
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 20th Asian Women’s Handball Championship held from 3 to 10 December 2024, in New Delhi, India. This is the first time the Handball Association India (HAI) is hosting the event. Initially planned for Almaty, Kazakhstan, the championship was moved to New Delhi. It serves as a qualifier for the 27th IHF Women’s Handball World Championship in 2025 in Germany and the Netherlands.
9. Which city is the host of 63rd Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM) conference?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Chennai
[C] New Delhi
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The 63rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM) held at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru, from December 5–7, 2024. Established in 1952, ISAM is India’s only registered society dedicated to aerospace medicine. The conference theme is “Collaborate for Research,” focusing on interdisciplinary cooperation in aviation and space medicine. The event features more than 300 attendees, including experts from DRDO, ISRO, and aerospace medicine professionals.
10. Which Indian initiative was praised by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School for accelerating infrastructure projects?
[A] National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)
[B] Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN
[C] PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
[D] PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation)]
Notes:
Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, highlighted PRAGATI’s role in transforming India’s infrastructure project delivery. PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is a multi-purpose platform addressing public grievances and monitoring key projects. Launched on March 25, 2015, it was designed in-house by the PMO with support from the National Informatics Center (NIC). It integrates digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology for real-time interactions. PRAGATI promotes cooperative federalism by bringing Central and State officials together for efficient decision-making and monitoring ground-level issues.