1. 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.
2. Musi River, which was seen in the news, is a tributary of which river?
[A] Godavari River
[B] Krishna River
[C] Kaveri River
[D] Narmada River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Krishna River]
Notes:
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) advised citizens to stay indoors due to heavy rains causing the Musi River to rise. The Musi River flows through Telangana and is a tributary of the Krishna River. The river was historically known as the Muchukunda River. Hyderabad is situated on its banks, with the river dividing the old and new parts of the city. The Musi River originates in the Anantagiri Hills near Vicarabad, covering about 240 km before joining the Krishna River. Two dams, Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar, are constructed over the Musi River.
3. Recently, which Japanese animator has been honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2024?
[A] Goro Fujita
[B] Hiroyuki Imaishi
[C] Hayao Miyazaki
[D] Koji Nanke
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hayao Miyazaki]
Notes:
Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki recently won the Ramon Magsaysay Award, known as Asia’s Nobel Prize. This award is Asia’s top honor, recognizing transformative leadership and spirit. Winners receive a certificate and a medallion with Ramon Magsaysay’s profile. From 1958 to 2008, the award was given in six categories: Government Service, Public Service, Community Leadership, Journalism and Creative Arts, Peace and International Understanding, and Emergent Leadership. The award ceremony is held annually on August 31 in Manila, Philippines, marking the birth anniversary of President Ramon Magsaysay, after whom the award is named.
4. 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.
5. Saora Tribe, recently seen in the news, primarily resides in which state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Bihar
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Odisha]
Notes:
Odisha granted habitat rights to Saora tribals in Gajapati district, making it the state with the most habitat rights for particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). The Saora tribe is one of Odisha’s ancient tribes, mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. They are also known as Savaras, Sabaras, Saura, and Sora. Besides Odisha, Saoras live in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. They speak the Sora language, a Munda language, and use the Sorang Sompeng script. Saoras have Proto Australoid features, a complex religion with many gods, and unique art and tattoo traditions.
Economically, they are divided into plains Saoras (agriculture and wage work) and hill Saoras (shifting and terraced cultivation).
6. Recently, where was the world’s first fast-charging e-bus named ‘Veera Mahasamrat’ launched?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Chennai
[D] Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The world’s first fast-charging e-bus is named ‘Veera Mahasamrat.’ It was launched in Bengaluru by Veera Vahana and Exponent Energy. The bus aims to improve travel by eliminating range anxiety with its fast charging. It will first operate on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad route. Four charging stations will be set up along this route to support the e-bus. The launch of ‘Veera Mahasamrat’ is a major step in promoting sustainable transportation in the region.
7. Recently, which institution opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE?
[A] IIT Delhi
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] IIT Bombay
[D] IIT Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Delhi]
Notes:
IIT Delhi’s first international campus was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. This new campus aims to enhance the UAE’s status as a global education and innovation hub. It is the second international IIT campus, following IIT Madras’s in Zanzibar. The inaugural cohort includes 52 students pursuing undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Energy Engineering. Students were admitted through JEE Advanced and CAET exams and come from various backgrounds, including Indian, Emirati, and international students. IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi also launched an MTech program in Energy Transition and Sustainability earlier this year.
8. Deepti Jeevanji won which medal in the women’s 400m T20 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics?
[A] Gold
[B] Silver
[C] Bronze
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bronze]
Notes:
India’s Deepthi Jeevanji won a bronze medal in the women’s 400m T20 race at the Paris Paralympics 2024. She completed the race in 55.82 seconds. Jeevanji secured third place, finishing behind Yuliia Shuliar from Ukraine, who clocked 55.16 seconds. The second-place finisher was Aysel Onder from Turkey, who holds the world record and finished in 55.23 seconds. This achievement highlights Jeevanji’s significant performance on an international stage.
9. Recently, which ministry launched the new ‘Notary Portal’ in New Delhi?
[A] Ministry of Law and Justice
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Law and Justice]
Notes:
Ministry of Law and Justice launched the new Notary Portal in New Delhi, enhancing digital services in line with Digital India. The portal offers a paperless, faceless, and efficient system, benefiting both notaries and the public. It provides online services, including applications for appointment as notaries, issuance and renewal of Certificates of Practice, change of practice area, and submission of annual returns. Notaries can now submit applications online, monitor their progress, and download digitally signed Certificates of Practice via Digilocker, eliminating the need for physical submissions.
10. Guanabara Bay, recently seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Brazil
[B] Malaysia
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brazil]
Notes:
Sea turtles in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), are showing improvement in health after years of suffering from fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis is a serious infectious disease affecting sea turtles globally, causing benign tumors on their bodies. These tumors hinder the turtles’ movement, vision, and feeding, often leading to death. The disease is caused by a herpes virus and is linked to polluted coastal areas, high human density, agricultural runoff, and harmful algae.