1. What is the IMF’s estimated forecast for India’s GDP growth in the current financial year?
[A] 6.1 %
[B] 6.2 %
[C] 6.7 %
[D] 6.4 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6.7 %]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.7% for the current fiscal year, a 40 basis points rise from the previous estimate of 6.3%. This positive revision is credited to strong public investment and positive labor market trends, as outlined in the latest World Economic Outlook report.
2. Martand sun temple, recently seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Jammu & Kashmir
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu & Kashmir]
Notes:
Members of a Hindutva group recently breached the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected Martand Sun Temple, a historic Hindu temple near Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley. Built in the 8th century by King Lalitaditya Muktapida, it blends Kashmiri, Gupta, Chinese, Gandhara, Roman, and Greek architectural styles. Spanning 32,000 sq. ft., the stone temple features an 86-column courtyard, a 60-ft vimana with intricate carvings, and 84 smaller shrines. Sultan Sikandar Shah Miri is believed to have demolished it in the 14th century.
3. ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ scheme, recently seen in the news, is launched by which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced the ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ initiative, distributing sports equipment in 12,000 village panchayats to commemorate M. Karunanidhi’s birth centenary. The scheme begins on February 7 in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu and aims to support young athletes. Udhayanidhi emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting sports, paralleling the provision of books for education. He praised Khelo India 2023 for identifying and nurturing over 5,400 talented athletes across various disciplines, enhancing India’s international competitiveness.
4. ‘Operation Black Gold’, recently seen in the news, is related to which one of the following?
[A] Crude oil smuggling
[B] Gold smuggling
[C] Black money smuggling
[D] Drugs smuggling
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gold smuggling]
Notes:
Operation Black Gold is about the seizure of an alloy containing 16.67 kg of gold and 39.73 kg of silver in Delhi. The alloy was worth over Rs 10 crore and was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at FPO Delhi. The Revenue Intelligence Directorate (DRI) acted on intelligence to seize seven shipments of “electrical current/potential meters”. The meters were declared as “current guior machines”. According to preliminary investigations, a systematic syndicate was involved in the gold smuggling. The gold was coated with silver to change its color from yellow to white. The white mixture was then used to make electric meter covers, which were then painted black to avoid suspicion.
5. 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.
6. What is Fentanyl, recently mentioned in the news?
[A] A type of drug
[B] Invasive plant
[C] Artificial intelligence tool
[D] Asteroid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [A type of drug]
Notes:
A recent discussion between the United States and China have focused on joint efforts to combat the influx of fentanyl into the U.S. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid (a type of drug), has wreaked havoc in America and is linked to ingredients produced in China. The drug, 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) -approved for severe pain but is also illegally manufactured and sold recreationally, often mixed with other drugs, posing a high risk of addiction and fatality in large doses or when combined.
7. In the interim budget 2024-25, which of the following crops are taken into consideration for ‘Atmanirbhar Oil Seeds Abhiyan’?
[A] Mustard, Groundnut, Sesame, Soybean & Sunflower
[B] Palm, Coconut, Canola & Castor
[C] Peanuts, cotton & flax
[D] Rapeseed & Palm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mustard, Groundnut, Sesame, Soybean & Sunflower]
Notes:
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted farmer’s welfare and rural demand in the interim budget 2024-25. The budget emphasizes achieving ‘atmanirbharta’ in oil seeds, outlining strategies like research for high-yielding varieties, modern farming techniques adoption, market linkages, procurement, value addition, and crop insurance for mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower.
8. Darlipali thermal power plant, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated NTPC Ltd’s Darlipali thermal power plant (1,600 MW), Rourkela PP-II expansion project (250 MW), and laid the foundation stone for Talcher 2×660 MW in Odisha, with a total investment of Rs 28,978 crore. Darlipali, a pit-head station, has supply agreements with multiple states. The Rourkela project supports the steel plant, while Talcher’s 660 MW will cater 50% to Odisha and the rest to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Assam. The government encourages coal-based capacity additions due to rising energy demand.
9. Recently, which state cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
Uttarakhand’s Cabinet, under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill—a historic decision. Based on committee recommendations, the bill aims to standardize civil laws, transcending religious affiliations. The proposed measures include banning polygamy and child marriage, establishing a common marriageable age, and enforcing uniform grounds and procedures for divorce, promoting legal standardization.
10. Recently, who received the 2024 Best Green Bond-Corporate Award at The Asset Triple A Awards for Sustainable Finance?
[A] HINDALCO
[B] REC Limited
[C] TISCO
[D] NALCO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [REC Limited]
Notes:
REC Limited received the 2024 Best Green Bond-Corporate Award at The Asset Triple A Awards for Sustainable Finance. The award recognizes REC’s commitment to environmental and sustainable finance. REC Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC. In April 2023, REC issued $750 million in Green Bonds, which is why they received the award.