1. Recently, where was the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 held?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mumbai]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
The event is organized jointly by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC). The GFF is considered one of the world’s largest gatherings of fintech startups, investors, experts, bankers, and regulators from around the globe.
2. Which state’s tourism recently won the PATA Gold Award 2024 for innovative ‘Holiday Heist’ campaign?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala Tourism won the PATA Gold Award 2024 for its ‘Holiday Heist’ online contest in the Digital Marketing Campaign category. The campaign, launched in July 2023, used a bidding game on the WhatsApp ChatBot ‘Maya’ to attract tourists. Over 80,000 bids were made by travellers across India to visit Kerala’s prime destinations at low prices. The campaign generated more than 45 million impressions and over 13 million video views. Some participants won tour packages worth ₹30,000 for just ₹5. Kerala Tourism received the award in Bangkok on August 28, 2024.
3. Which state/UT recently launched ‘Isai Kudil Scheme’ to enhance music and dance education in government schools?
[A] Puducherry
[B] Assam
[C] Lakshadweep
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Puducherry]
Notes:
The Isai Kudil scheme was launched in Puducherry to boost music and dance education in government schools. Bharathiar University supports this initiative. A musical hut is being set up at Chinnatha Government Girls Higher Secondary School.
Music classes will be held twice a week for two hours. The scheme offers tailored syllabi for different class levels. This effort shows Puducherry’s commitment to enhancing students’ education through arts and culture.
4. Which state government recently approved a ‘New Digital Policy’ to regulate content, encourage influencers, and promote government initiatives?
[A] Bihar
[B] Haryana
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a new social media policy to regulate content on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Social media influencers can earn up to ₹8 lakh per month by promoting government schemes. The policy aims to create job opportunities for residents within the state and those living elsewhere. Platforms are divided into four categories based on followers for payouts. Maximum monthly payouts range from ₹2 lakh to ₹8 lakh depending on the platform and content type. A digital agency named ‘V-Form’ will manage government advertisements. The policy includes guidelines for handling objectionable content, targeting anti-national, anti-social, fake news, or inflammatory posts.
5. What is the primary objective of the ‘Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)’, recently seen in news?
[A] To promote economic trade among member states
[B] To promote regional security by addressing transnational threats
[C] To establish a common currency for member states
[D] To develop a regional space program
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To promote regional security by addressing transnational threats]
Notes:
Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) member states signed a Charter and MoU to establish the CSC Secretariat in Colombo. CSC is a regional security group that includes India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius. Its main goal is to enhance regional security by addressing shared transnational threats. CSC started as the Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation in 2011, involving India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Tensions between India and the Maldives paused its activities after 2014. Revived and renamed in 2020, Mauritius and Bangladesh joined as members, with Seychelles as an observer. CSC meetings include National Security Advisors and their deputies.
6. Recently, how much fund has been approved for the Digital Agriculture Mission by the Union Cabinet of India?
[A] Rs 500 Crore
[B] Rs 2,500 Crore
[C] Rs 2,817 Crore
[D] Rs 1,500 Crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 2,817 Crore]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a budget of Rs. 2817 Crore. The central share for this mission is Rs. 1940 Crore. The mission supports digital agriculture initiatives through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and other IT projects. Three main components under DPI are AgriStack, Krishi Decision Support System (DSS), and Soil Profile Maps. These components aim to provide solutions for farmers to access various services. AgriStack will include a Farmers’ Registry, Geo-referenced Village Maps, and a Crop Sown Registry managed by state governments
7. Phrynarachne decipiens, recently seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Frog
[C] Snake
[D] Fish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Spider]
Notes:
Zoologists in Assam have recently added a new spider species, Phrynarachne decipiens, to India’s list of arachnids. Commonly known as the bird dung or bird-dropping crab spider, it mimics bird excrement with its web. Previously found in Malaysia and Indonesia’s Java and Sumatra, it has now been recorded in Assam’s Sonapur and Chirang Reserve Forest. The spider is usually motionless on the upper side of broad leaves, blending in with its white, bird-dropping-like web. It features stout spermathecae, a reproductive organ in females, with nearly touching posterior heads. The genus Phrynarachne has 35 accepted species; three others were previously recorded and re-described from Assam.
8. Which ministry recently won the national award for e-Governance 2024 for Poshan Tracker initiative?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Women and Child Development ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development won the National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for the Poshan Tracker initiative. The Poshan Tracker monitors the growth of children aged 0-6 years using real-time data and WHO growth charts to ensure proper nutrition. Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) assess children’s health and intervene when growth issues arise. Advanced ICT tools and Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) are used at Anganwadi Centers for accurate monitoring. The app improves child health outcomes, covering millions under Mission Poshan 2.0. It also manages services for pregnant women, mothers, and children, digitizing Anganwadi workers’ records.
9. Recently, which research centre has published the first fully mapped genome of the Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV)?
[A] Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre
[B] Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology
[C] Regional Centre for Biotechnology
[D] National Institute of Immunology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre ]
Notes:
The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar published the first fully mapped genome of the Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV). CHPV causes encephalitis, leading to brain swelling, and was responsible for several cases during the July-August outbreak in Gujarat. Genome mapping identifies the locations of genes and key sequences on a genome. It helps understand a virus’s origin, mutations, and potential changes in transmissibility or severity. There are two types of genome maps: genetic maps, showing relative gene positions, and physical maps, showing absolute positions based on DNA base pairs.
10. Recently, the Indian Navy signed an agreement with which country’s navy to enhance submarine rescue support cooperation?
[A] Australia
[B] Malaysia
[C] South Africa
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Africa]
Notes:
The Indian Navy and South African Navy signed an agreement to enhance naval cooperation, ensuring the safety of the South African Navy’s submarine crew during emergencies. Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will assist by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when needed. This strengthens the maritime relationship between India and South Africa. The agreement follows a 2023 incident where three South African Navy personnel died off Cape Town’s coast. South Africa, with a few submarines, will benefit from India’s DSRV, which is used for submarine rescues and covert operations.