1. Central Electronics Limited (CEL), which was recently granted ‘Mini Ratna’ status, comes under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Power
[C] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
Central Electronics Limited (CEL), recently granted “Mini Ratna” (Category-1) status, is a Govt. of India Enterprise under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology. Established in 1974, CEL aims to commercialize indigenous technologies from National Laboratories and R&D Institutions. CEL excels in solar energy systems, strategic electronics, and various high-tech areas, producing solar cells, railway signaling equipment, and components for defense applications.
2. Gardi Sugdub Island, recently seen in the news, is located in which sea?
[A] Caspian Sea
[B] Black Sea
[C] Mediterranean Sea
[D] Caribbean Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Caribbean Sea]
Notes:
In June, approximately 300 families were relocated from Gardi Sugdub island in Panama’s Guna Yala province due to rising sea levels. It is a tiny island in the caribbean sea and part of the San Blas archipelago, inhabited by 1,200 indigenous Guna people facing displacement to the mainland due to climate change. Panama plans further evacuations by 2050, marking the first complete island community relocation in Latin America. Sea levels in the Caribbean, where Panama is situated, rise by an average of 3 to 4 millimeters annually.
3. What is the causative agent of ‘Oropouche fever’, recently seen in news?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Fungus
[C] Virus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Virus]
Notes:
Italy recently reported its first case of Oropouche fever, caused by the Oropouche Virus (OROV), an emerging mosquito-borne disease. OROV, part of the orthobunyavirus family, has an incubation period of 4 to 8 days and was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to meningitis or encephalitis. Transmission occurs through infected midges or mosquitoes, with no specific treatment or vaccine currently available.
4. What is ‘Snowblind’, recently seen in news?
[A] Exoplanet
[B] Asteroid
[C] Malware
[D] Drugs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Malware]
Notes:
A new Android malware called ‘Snowblind’ targets users to steal banking credentials by bypassing anti-tamper mechanisms using the ‘seccomp’ security feature. Snowblind repacks apps to avoid detection and utilizes accessibility services to remotely view screens, disabling biometric and two-factor authentication. It primarily infects devices via apps from untrusted sources and is most active in Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to banking app security.
5. INS Ranvir, recently seen in news, belongs to which type of class?
[A] Seawolf
[B] Rajput
[C] Scorpene
[D] Kalavari
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajput]
Notes:
Indian Naval Ship INS Ranvir, a Rajput Class Guided Missile Destroyer, arrived in Chattogram, Bangladesh for an Operational Deployment. Commissioned in 1986, the upgraded ship features state-of-the-art indigenous weapons and sensors. The visit includes professional interactions, community outreach, and sports with Bangladeshi naval personnel. INS Ranvir will also participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise. This visit enhances India-Bangladesh friendship, cooperation, and regional security, aligned with India’s SAGAR initiative.
6. Indian army recently conducted joint military exercise ‘Maitree’ with which country’s army?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Egypt
[C] Thailand
[D] Vietnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Thailand]
Notes:
The Indian Army commenced the Maitree exercise with the Royal Thai Army at Fort Vachiraprakan, Thailand, from 1 to 15 July 2024. Initiated in 2006, this bilateral exercise enhances defense cooperation. Seventy-six personnel from both armies, including the Ladakh Scouts, participate. The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and jungle environments, joint planning, tactical drills, and physical fitness.
7. What is the primary objective of ‘Project Nexus’, recently seen in news?
[A] To improve domestic banking systems
[B] To enable instant cross-border retail payments
[C] To create a new cryptocurrency
[D] To monitor international financial transactions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To enable instant cross-border retail payments]
Notes:
The RBI joined Project Nexus, an initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by linking domestic Fast Payment Systems (FPSs). Conceptualized by the BIS Innovation Hub, Nexus provides a single-connection solution for seamless international transactions. It aims to connect FPSs of India and four ASEAN countries by 2026. Nexus will automatically link new member countries, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving international payment accessibility.
8. Recently, who won the Leon Masters Chess Championship for the 10th time?
[A] Fabiano Caruana
[B] Viswanathan Anand
[C] Sergey Karjakin
[D] Magnus Carlsen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Viswanathan Anand]
Notes:
Former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India won the Leon Masters chess championship for the 10th time by defeating Jaime Santos Latasa of Spain 3-1 in the final on June 30, 2024, in Leon, Spain. Anand, a five-time world champion, has previously won the tournament in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2016. The Leon Masters features four players, including Arjun Erigaisi and Veselin Topalov.
9. Recently, IAF chief inaugurated Weapon Systems School (WSS) in which city?
[A] Jaipur
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Kolkata
[D] Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hyderabad]
Notes:
The Chief of the Air Staff inaugurated the Weapon Systems School (WSS) at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad. The WSS aims to modernize the Indian Air Force (IAF) by providing effect-based, contemporary training to officers of the newly formed branch. Flight Cadets in the WS Branch will undertake their second semester of training at this institute, aligning with the IAF’s future-oriented goals.
10. What is the primary objective of the SEHER programme, recently seen in news?
[A] To improve health care services
[B] To enhance financial literacy and business skills among women entrepreneurs
[C] To promote sports activities
[D] To develop new technologies
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To enhance financial literacy and business skills among women entrepreneurs]
Notes:
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion CIBIL have launched the SEHER programme to enhance financial literacy and business skills among women entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to improve access to financial tools for business growth and job creation, supporting WEP’s goal of improving financing for India’s 63 million MSMEs. Launched in 2018, WEP supports women entrepreneurs through promotion, finance access, market linkages, training, mentoring, and business development services.