41. Which day is observed as ‘United Nations Public Service Day’ annually?
[A] 21 June
[B] 22 June
[C] 23 June
[D] 24 June
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [23 June]
Notes:
United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated globally on June 23rd to highlight the importance of public service and honor the dedication of public servants. The day aims to celebrate the value of public service to communities, showcase its contribution to development, honor the work of public servants, and inspire young people to consider careers in the public sector.
42. What type of missile system is the ‘Javelin’, recently seen in news?
[A] Man-portable anti tank guided missile (ATGM)
[B] Intercontinental ballistic missile
[C] Cruise missile
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Man-portable anti tank guided missile (ATGM)]
Notes:
India and the US are discussing co-producing American Javelin missiles in India for its military needs. The Javelin is a man-portable antitank guided missile (ATGM) developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles and other targets like bunkers and helicopters, it features a 2,500-meter range, “fire-and-forget” infrared guidance, and a high-explosive antitank warhead. It can be shoulder-fired or vehicle-mounted.
43. Which country has recently become the first country to successfully collect and return samples from the far side of the Moon?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] India
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
China’s Chang’e-6 mission marks a historic milestone as the first to collect and return samples from the Moon’s far side, specifically the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Key achievements include overcoming radio signal blockage with relay satellites, precision landing, and collecting up to 2kg of moon rock and soil. The mission enhances understanding of lunar geology, early solar system history, and Earth-Moon relations, while showcasing China’s growing space capabilities and potential for international collaboration.
44. Recently, the India’s first ‘Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage’ museum has been inaugurated at which place?
[A] Jaipur
[B] Shimla
[C] Ladakh
[D] Chandigarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shimla]
Notes:
After 164 years, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India opened its first museum at Chadwick House in Shimla. Inaugurated by CAG GC Murmu, the museum highlights India’s federal audit heritage. Chadwick House, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during the 1946 Cabinet Mission, also housed the first training school for Indian Audit and Accounts Service probationers in 1950. Exhibits include Chanakya writing the Arthashastra.
45. Raimona National Park, recently seen in news due to an antelope like mammal ‘mainland serow’, is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
A mainland serow, a mammal between a goat and an antelope, was sighted at 96 meters above sea level in Raimona National Park, Assam, near human habitation. Documented by a team of scientists, this finding was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The serow, usually found at 200-3,000 meters in the India-Bhutan border region, highlights biodiversity conservation efforts in the park, previously affected by poaching and logging.
46. Who has been awarded the ‘PEN Pinter Prize 2024’?
[A] Vikram Seth
[B] Neelam Saxena
[C] Vikram Singh
[D] Arundhati Roy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Arundhati Roy]
Notes:
Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 2024 PEN Pinter Literary Prize for her courageous writing. This honor comes shortly after the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi sanctioned her prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The award ceremony will be held in October in London. Previous winners include Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood. The PEN Pinter Award, established in 2009, recognizes exceptional English-language writers from the UK, Ireland, or the Commonwealth.
47. Which ministry recently launched the scheme for Partial Reimbursement of Exploration Expenses for Holders of Exploration Licences (EL)?
[A] Ministry of Earth Sciences
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Mines
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Mines]
Notes:
The Ministry of Mines launched the Scheme for Partial Reimbursement of Exploration Expenses to accelerate mineral exploration and reduce costs. The scheme offers 50% reimbursement, up to Rs 20 crore, for exploration expenses. This cap increases to Rs 24 crore if a G2 block is auctioned within three years. Funded by the Rs 5,000 crore NMET, recipients must repay the amount over ten years from production start or within one month of receiving lump sum payments.
48. Which countries recently participated in trilateral multi-domain exercise, named Freedom Edge?
[A] Australia, Japan and India
[B] Vietnam, Egypt and France
[C] China, India and UK
[D] South Korea, US and Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [South Korea, US and Japan ]
Notes:
South Korea, the US, and Japan launched their inaugural trilateral multi-domain exercise, Freedom Edge, on South Korea’s Jeju Island. The three-day exercise aims to enhance security cooperation amid North Korea’s strengthened ties with Russia. Activities include ballistic missile defense, air defense, antisubmarine warfare, search and rescue, maritime interdiction, and defensive cyber training. This follows a recent summit where North Korea and Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty, including military support clauses.
49. Recently, an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for early detection of forest fires has been launched in which tiger reserve of Maharashtra?
[A] Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve
[B] Pench Tiger Reserve
[C] Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
[D] Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pench Tiger Reserve]
Notes:
An advanced AI system for early forest fire detection has deployed at Pench Tiger Reserve. Located across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Pench is known for its diverse forest types including Tropical Moist Deciduous and Teak. The reserve, designated a National Park in 1975 and Tiger Reserve in 1992, is divided by the Pench River and hosts a rich biodiversity featuring tigers, leopards, and diverse flora like Mahua and Salai.
50. What is the rank of India in the Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) 2024?
[A] 65th
[B] 72nd
[C] 85th
[D] 86th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [72nd]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched the AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard, ranking 174 countries on their readiness to adopt AI technologies. Categories include Low-Income Countries (LIC), Emerging Market Economies (EM), and Advanced Economies (AE). Singapore, Denmark, and the United States lead the AE category, while India, an EM, ranks 72nd with a score of 0.49. China ranks 31st with a score of 0.63, reflecting its higher readiness compared to neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.