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. Recently, where was the 64th International Sugar Organization Council meeting organized?
[A] Beijing, China
[B] Paris, France
[C] New Delhi, India
[D] London, UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi, India]
Notes:
The 64th International Sugar Organisation Council meeting began on June 25, 2024, in New Delhi, hosted by India, the current chairman. Delegates from over 30 countries will discuss sugar industry and biofuel issues until June 27. India, elected chairman at last year’s meeting in London, is the second-largest sugar producer and the largest consumer globally, contributing 20% to global production and 15% to consumption.
43. Didymocarpus janakiae, a new plant species, recently discovered in which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
A new plant species, Didymocarpus janakiae, was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district at 2,300 meters elevation. Named in honor of pioneering Indian botanist E. K. Janaki Ammal, this species belongs to the Didymocarpus genus, part of the African Violet family (Gesneriaceae). Found in pristine habitats, it highlights ecosystem quality. The genus comprises 111 species, 27 of which are in India, including D. janakiae.
44. Which non-governmental organization (NGO) has recently launched a nationwide campaign, “Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai”?
[A] Smile Foundation
[B] Child Rights and You
[C] Goonj
[D] HelpAge India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Child Rights and You]
Notes:
Child Rights and You (CRY) launched “Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai” to enhance girls’ school attendance nationwide. In India, female literacy rates lag behind males, with significant dropout rates in rural areas before fifth grade. However, rural women’s literacy has risen by 26% in the last decade. Girls’ gross enrolment ratios at elementary, secondary, and higher secondary levels surpass boys’. The initiative aims to bridge educational disparities and empower more girls through increased participation in schools.
45. Recently, who has been appointed as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha?
[A] Piyush Goyal
[B] JP Nadda
[C] Chirag Paswan
[D] Rajnath Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [JP Nadda ]
Notes:
Union Minister JP Nadda has been appointed Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, succeeding Piyush Goyal, who is now a Lok Sabha member from North Mumbai, Maharashtra. Nadda was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat by the BJP in February this year.
46. ALMA telescope, recently seen in news, is located in which desert?
[A] Kalahari Desert
[B] Atacama Desert
[C] Sonoran Desert
[D] Mojave Desert
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Atacama Desert ]
Notes:
Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have gained new insights into planet formation around binary star systems, where two stars orbit a common center of mass. ALMA, with 66 antennas in Chile’s Atacama Desert, studies celestial objects at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, penetrating dust clouds to observe distant galaxies and stars. Operated by an international partnership, ALMA detects faint radio signals with extraordinary sensitivity.
47. ‘School in a Box’ initiative, recently seen in news, is associated with flood-affected children of which Northeastern state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Nagaland
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
Flood-affected children in Assam will receive a ‘school in a box’ in 167 relief camps to continue their education. The initiative, aimed at children aged 6 to 18, helps them cope with trauma from losing homes or family members. Each camp will get a UNICEF-designed child-friendly space (CFS) kit with notebooks and learning materials. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority is training officials to maximize the kits’ utility and reduce children’s mental stress.
48. Ratle power project, recently seen in news, is situated on which river of Jammu and Kashmir?
[A] Chenab
[B] Jhelum
[C] Sind
[D] Ujh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chenab]
Notes:
A five-member Pakistan delegation and World Bank experts toured the Ratle power project, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2006, Pakistan has raised technical objections, seeking international arbitration, which India rejected. Under the Indus Water Treaty, India has rights over the run-of-the-river waters in Jammu and Kashmir and full rights over Punjab’s rivers. India asserts its compliance with the treaty.
49. Recently, which country has signed an $18-million memorandum of understanding with the ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (Nsil)?
[A] Australia
[B] Japan
[C] Germany
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
Notes:
Recently, the Australian government signed an $18 million MoU with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, as part of the Space MAITRI mission. This initiative strengthens bilateral ties in space exploration, focusing on debris management and sustainability. NSIL will launch Australia’s Space Machines Company’s Optimus spacecraft in 2026 on ISRO’s SSLV, marking a significant collaboration in space technology and fostering responsible space operations between India and Australia.
50. Recently, which country became the first in the world to start offering preemptive bird flu vaccinations to certain workers exposed to animals?
[A] Finland
[B] Poland
[C] New Zealand
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Finland]
Notes:
Finland is the first country to offer preemptive bird flu vaccinations to specific workers exposed to animals. Vaccines will target workers at fur and poultry farms, lab technicians, veterinarians, and those in bird sanctuaries and animal by-product plants, aged 18 and over. Finland secured vaccines for 10,000 people through an EU procurement of 40 million doses from CSL Seqirus. Vaccinations start next week, following past bird flu outbreaks in fur farms.