1. Which country has recently rejected nearly one-third of Indian spice-related shipments due to salmonella contamination?
[A] Myanmar
[B] United States
[C] Russia
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The United States has rejected nearly one-third of shipments from Mahashian Di Hatti Pvt Ltd (MDH) since October 2023 due to salmonella contamination. Salmonella, a bacteria found in animals’ intestines and feces, causes gastrointestinal illness. It spreads to humans through contact with contaminated items or animals. Salmonella can survive for weeks in dry environments and months in water. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with severe cases requiring medical attention.
2. Recently, Kundan Green Energy has received approval for a 42 MW hydropower project at which city of Uttarakhand?
[A] Okhali
[B] Chamoli
[C] Ranikhet
[D] Pauri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Okhali]
Notes:
Kundan Green Energy secures approval for a 42 MW hydropower venture in Okhali, Uttarakhand, as part of an 80 MW agreement with the state government with an investment of Rs 1,000 Crore. It targets completion by 2028, boosting the company’s hydropower capacity to 270 MW from 104 MW. A subsidiary of Kundan Group, it’s committed to India’s renewable energy goal of 500 GW by 2030, employing sustainable practices for a greener future.
3. Recently, which organization has advised all states and UTs to “completely prohibit” all harmful sharp threads or “manjha”?
[A] National Green Tribunal
[B] Animal Welfare Board of India
[C] National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Animal Welfare Board of India ]
Notes:
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has urged states and UTs to fully prohibit harmful sharp threads or “manjha.” The Delhi High Court instructed the Delhi government to establish a policy for compensating victims of accidents caused by Chinese manjha. In 2017, the NGT mandated a complete ban on manjha. AWBI, a statutory advisory body founded under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960, operates from Ballabhgarh, Faridabad, Haryana, focusing on animal welfare and providing grants.
4. Recently, who has been awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE, the International Chess Federation?
[A] Vaishali Ramesh Babu
[B] Surya Sekhar Ganguly
[C] Savitha Shri Baskar
[D] Tania Sachdev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vaishali Ramesh Babu]
Notes:
Indian Chess Prodigy Vaishali Ramesh Babu, awarded Grandmaster by FIDE, highlighted India’s rising prominence in chess. She anticipates India’s strong showing in the World Championship. Praising Viswanathan Anand’s impact, she credits her father’s decision to steer her towards chess. Supported by her parents, Vaishali became India’s third female Grandmaster after Humpy and Dronavalli. She achieved the 2500 ELO points at the Llobregat Open, with FIDE formally granting her the title at the recent Candidates Tournament in Toronto.
5. Recently, NPCI signed an agreement with which African country for UPI-like instant payment services?
[A] Namibia
[B] Tanzania
[C] Kenya
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Namibia]
Notes:
NPCI’s overseas arm signed a pact with the Bank of Namibia to develop a UPI-like instant payment system for Namibia, leveraging India’s UPI technology and experiences. The collaboration aims to modernize Namibia’s financial ecosystem, enhancing accessibility, affordability, and connectivity with domestic and international payment networks. It also emphasizes interoperability, signaling a significant step towards improving financial inclusion and digital transactions in Namibia.
6. Saksham Valley, recently seen in the news, is a territorial dispute between which two countries?
[A] India & Bhutan
[B] India & Pakistan
[C] India & Nepal
[D] China & Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India & Pakistan]
Notes:
India protests China’s construction in Shaksgam Valley, deemed illegal. The valley is part of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. It is a disputed territory claimed by India but controlled by Pakistan and ceded to China in 1963 by Pakistan. Article 6 of the agreement stipulates renegotiation after Kashmir dispute settlement. It borders Xinjiang, POK, and Siachen Glacier. The Karakoram highway, built in the 1970s, resulted from the agreement between China and Pakistan.
7. Red colobus monkeys, recently seen in news, primarily found in which region?
[A] African Savanna
[B] Amazon Rainforest
[C] Western Australia
[D] Mississippi Valley
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [African Savanna ]
Notes:
Red colobus monkeys, belonging to genus Procolobus, inhabit African Savanna across West, Central, and East Africa. The Savanna’s diverse habitat offers ample trees and food sources like leaves and fruits. They serve as seed dispersers and prey for predators. Living in social groups, they exhibit striking features with reddish-brown fur. This species plays a vital ecological role in their habitat, vital for maintaining the balance in their ecosystem.
8. In the recent decision by the Supreme Court, what percent of seats has been reserved specifically for women in the bar association committee?
[A] 25%
[B] 30%
[C] 32%
[D] 33%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [33%]
Notes:
The Supreme Court reserved one-third of SCBA executive committee seats for women. Minimum 3 out of 9 positions and 2 of 6 Senior Executive Member posts will be for women. At least one office-bearer post exclusively for women by rotation. Treasurer post in 2024-2025 election reserved for women. Reservation ensures minimum representation, eligible women can contest all committee posts. Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan directed the decision.
9. Recently, who has been appointed as President of Goods & Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)?
[A] O. P. Choudhary
[B] Pankaj Chaudhary
[C] Sanjaya Kumar Mishra
[D] Ajay Bhushan Pandey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sanjaya Kumar Mishra ]
Notes:
Retired Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra appointed as President of GSTAT, the Second Appellate Authority under the Central GST Act, 2017. GSTAT hears appeals against orders from the Appellate Authority under CGST Act, 2017 and State GST Acts, ensuring dispute resolution uniformity. GSTAT comprises a Principal Bench in New Delhi, led by the President and two Technical Members (one from Centre, one from State), along with several State Benches.
10. Recently, where was the 26th ASEAN-Indian Senior Officials’ meeting held?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Jaipur
[C] Chennai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 26th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting in New Delhi, co-chaired by Jaideep Mazumdar and Albert Chua, reviewed ASEAN-India relations, focusing on political-security, economic, and socio-cultural engagement. They discussed implementing the Prime Ministers’ 12-Point Proposal to strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Preparation for the upcoming ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, was also discussed. ASEAN appreciated India’s support for ASEAN and regional architecture.
