1. Who has been recently appointed as the new Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy?
[A] Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani
[B] Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh
[C] Vice Admiral S. R. Sarma
[D] Vice Admiral G. S. Pabby
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh]
Notes:
Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh has taken over as the new Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy from Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani. The Chief of Materiel is the head of the Materials Branch of the Navy, dealing with logistics and maintenance. Vice Admiral Deshmukh is an alumnus of VJTI Mumbai and a postgraduate from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
2. Which country in India’s neighbourhood has decided to impose a one-year ban on Chinese research vessels in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Thailand
[C] Myanmar
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sri Lanka ]
Notes:
Sri Lanka’s decision to impose a one-year ban on Chinese research vessels in its EEZ was influenced by concerns raised by India and the US. These concerns were regarding the potential activities of the Chinese vessels, including scientific research and ballistic missile tracking in the Indian Ocean. This move, which was communicated through diplomatic channels, reflects the geopolitical dynamics in the region, especially concerning the presence and activities of Chinese vessels in waters close to India.
3. Which state is host of the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Punjab
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajasthan ]
Notes:
Rajasthan will host the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’. The inaugural edition of this bilateral drill will be conducted from January 2nd to January 15th, 2024 in Rajasthan. The aim is to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and UAE forces by exchanging best practices in areas like urban operations. This comes under expanding defense ties between the two nations who are strategic partners.
4. Which city emerged as the global leader in the total number of initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2023, as reported by Nikkei?
[A] Tokyo
[B] Mumbai
[C] New York
[D] Hong Kong
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mumbai ]
Notes:
In 2023, Mumbai became the global leader in the total number of IPOs, according to a Nikkei report. This achievement was underscored by the rise of over 10% in India’s benchmark Sensex index, reflecting growing investor confidence bolstered by economic reforms. Mumbai’s ascendancy in the IPO market marked a significant shift, overtaking Hong Kong, which had previously dominated this area. This development was part of a broader divergence in Asian markets, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index reaching a 33-year high, while Hong Kong experienced its fourth consecutive year of decline.
5. As per a recent report, what percentage of India’s agriculture imports in 2023 comprised of vegetable oils, pulses and fruits?
[A] 86.4%
[B] 62.1%
[C] 57.8%
[D] 72.1%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [72.1%]
Notes:
As India pursues food self-sufficiency, an analysis shows reliance on importing vegetable oils, pulses and dried fruits persist due to domestic supply limitations. For 2023, these three categories dominate agriculture imports, contributing 72.1% of the total import bill as per commerce ministry data. Palm oils alone account for 51.9 percent due to poor oilseed yields constraining India’s progress in edible oil security.
6. What is the name of the new frog species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh named after the Patkai hills?
[A] Arunchalops patkaiensis
[B] Gracixalus patkaiensis
[C] Rana patkaiensis
[D] Kaloula patkaiensis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gracixalus patkaiensis]
Notes:
A new species of see-through green frog named Gracixalus patkaiensis has been discovered in the biodiverse Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. The tiny 2.2 cm frog inhabits dense undergrowth in evergreen forests at the foothills of the Patkai range, and has a distinct insect-like call. It has been named after the Patkai hills of the Eastern Himalayas.
7. Which corporate group is setting up Asia’s first testing facility for Hyperloop transportation technology at IIT-Madras?
[A] Adani Group
[B] Vedanta Limited
[C] ArcelorMittal
[D] Jindal Steel and Power Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ArcelorMittal]
Notes:
ArcelorMittal has partnered with IIT-Madras to construct Asia’s first testing facility for Hyperloop pods and systems which enable magnetic levitation of pods through vacuum tubes for high-speed transportation of goods and people.
8. Recently, what new requirement has the Election Commission of India introduced for Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) seeking election symbols?
[A] Voter Endorsement
[B] Party Manifesto
[C] Audited Accounts
[D] Membership Numbers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Audited Accounts]
Notes:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced new rules for Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) regarding the allocation of symbols. These parties are now required to furnish audited accounts of the last three financial years, along with expenditure statements of the last two elections and the signature of an authorized office-bearer, as part of their application for election symbols. This move aims to enhance transparency and accountability among political parties, especially those that are newly registered or have not yet achieved a significant vote share in elections to be recognized as state parties. The new regulations will be effective from January 11.
9. Who are the target users of recently launched ERNET India’s newly developed integrated web portal?
[A] Exporters
[B] Artists
[C] Education Institutions
[D] Defence Personnel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Education Institutions ]
Notes:
S Krishnan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), inaugurated ERNET India’s newly developed integrated web portal designed for educational institutes in India. This event took place at the head office of ERNET India in New Delhi on January 4, 2024. The portal aims to provide various services, including domain registration, DNS, Website as a Service (WaaS), and Learning Management as a Service (LMaaS), leveraging open-source software and emerging technologies like AI/ML. ERNET India, functioning under MeitY, serves as the exclusive domain registrar for educational and research institutes in India and offers a range of other technological services.
10. The Hattee community, which was recently in news for legal dispute on its inclusion in Scheduled Tribes list, is primarily found in which state of India?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Hattee community, which has been at the center of recent legal discussions regarding its inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, is primarily found in Himachal Pradesh. This issue gained prominence following the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s decision to stay the inclusion of the Hattee community in the state’s ST list. The High Court intervened after the state government issued directions for this inclusion, which was contested by other communities through legal petitions. The Hattees are specifically from the Trans-Giri Area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh, and their potential inclusion in the ST list has been a subject of debate and legal scrutiny.