1. Recently, which ministry has released the report titled “The Indian Economy: A Review”?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture
[B] Ministry of Commerce & Industry
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Finance ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Finance released a report titled The Indian Economy: A Review in January 2024. The report was released a few days before the Union Budget for 2024-25 was presented in Parliament on February 1. The Ministry of Finance is made up of five divisions: Economic Affairs, Revenue, Expenditures, Investment and Public Asset Management, and Financial Services.
2. Which one of the following is the mascot for the Khelo India Winter Games 2024?
[A] Bengal Tiger
[B] Snow Leopard
[C] Hangul
[D] Arctic Fox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Snow Leopard]
Notes:
The mascot for the 2024 Khelo India Winter Games is the snow leopard, named “Sheen-e She” or “Shan” in the Ladakh region. The mascot was chosen to reflect the region’s biodiversity and tradition. The games will be held in Ladakh from February 2–6, and in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21–25. The mascot symbolizes the spirit of the games and highlights the need to conserve this endangered species.
3. Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has designated 80,114.80 hectares of Bargur Hills in Erode district as the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This area connects the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, forming a vital corridor for the tiger population. The region is rich in biodiversity, serving as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. It is identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, part of the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve, and crucial for water sources and cultural significance to local communities.
4. ‘Digital Detox’ initiative, recently seen in the news, is associated with which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka ]
Notes:
The Karnataka Government, in partnership with AIGDF and NIMHANS, introduced the Digital Detox Initiative to address mental health challenges arising from excessive technology use. The initiative aims to promote responsible gaming, offering awareness programs, personalized guidance at Digital Detox centers, and community connection through workshops. It responds to issues like decreasing attention spans and strained real-world connections due to over reliance on electronic devices, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to technology use for improved mental well-being.
5. What is ‘Trichoglossum’, recently mentioned in the news?
[A] Ancient irrigation system
[B] Anti ship missiles
[C] A genus of fungus
[D] Asteroid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A genus of fungus]
Notes:
Researchers discovered a new fungus species, Trichoglossum syamviswanathii, in Kerala. Trichoglossum is a genus of fungus known as “hairy earth tongues” due to its filamentous structure. The fungus, with 55 identified genera and 21 recognized species globally, exhibits saprotrophic behavior and can be found in plant roots as endophytes. Predominantly distributed in tropical and temperate forests across five continents, these fungi play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter.
6. Intelligent Transportation System Endeavor (InTranSE) program, recently seen in the news, comes under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
[D] Ministry of Communication
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology]
Notes:
At the “Digital India FutureLABS Summit 2024,” three indigenous technologies – Thermal camera, CMOS camera, and Fleet Management System – developed by CDAC Thiruvananthapuram under the InTranSE Program of MeitY were transferred to 12 industries. The InTranSE initiative, led by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, collaborates with academic institutes and R&D centers to transform Intelligent Transportation Systems. The program aims to enhance traffic efficiency, optimize infrastructure usage, provide advance traffic information, reduce travel time, and improve the safety and comfort of commuters.
7. Hage Geingob, who passed away recently, was a President of which country?
[A] Angola
[B] Botswana
[C] Zambia
[D] Namibia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Namibia]
Notes:
Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob, has died at 82 following cancer treatment. The first prime minister post-independence, he became Namibia’s third president in 2014, securing re-election in 2019. Geingob, a key figure since independence from South Africa, held the record for Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister before assuming the presidency. His passing marks the end of a significant era in Namibian political history.
8. Where was the ‘India’s First Digital National Museum of Epigraphy’ inaugurated?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Chennai
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hyderabad]
Notes:
Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the foundation stone for India’s digital National Museum of Epigraphy at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad. Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum aims to digitize one lakh ancient inscriptions from various periods and languages, aligning with the Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions initiative. Reddy praised the development as a key stride in the Modi government’s “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” commitment, underscoring the role of technology in providing universal access to cultural heritage and highlighting the museum’s transformative potential for scholars.
9. What is the IUCN status of ‘Black-Necked Crane’, recently seen in the news?
[A] Near Threatened
[B] Vulnerable
[C] Endangered
[D] Critically endangered
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Near Threatened]
Notes:
The government has undertaken crucial measures to safeguard the Black-Necked Crane, as revealed by the Union Minister of State for Environment. This medium-sized crane species, residing in high-altitude wetlands of the Tibetan plateau, faces threats like habitat loss due to climate change, agricultural changes, pollution, and environmental contamination. With a distribution in India, China, and Bhutan, it holds a Near Threatened status on the IUCN list and is listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and Appendix I of CITES.
10. ‘EV Upyog’ portal, recently seen in the news, is associated with which state government?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government is prioritizing electric vehicle (EV) use and manufacturing through the development of the ‘EV Upyog’ portal. The Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO) is hiring a software development agency for one year to upgrade the portal, which will include features like cloud storage, database capabilities, and specialized software. The Ministry of Electronics and IT Empanelled Service Provider will oversee the cloud server integration, emphasizing cybersecurity, cost-effectiveness, scalability, integration, API convenience, and reliability.