1. 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.
2. Hrim-2 ballistic missile, recently seen in the news, is developed by which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ukraine]
Notes:
Ukraine successfully tested its first ballistic missile, named Hrim-2, developed by its defense industry. Hrim-2, also known as Grim, Grom, or OTRK Sapsan, is a Ukrainian short-range ballistic missile system. It combines the features of a tactical missile system and a multiple rocket launcher. The export version of Hrim-2 has a range limited to 280 km to comply with international regulations. For Ukraine’s military, the missile’s range is extended to 700 km. The Sapsan system features a 10-wheeled launcher that carries two missiles and can evade modern air defenses, similar to Russia’s Iskander missile.
3. Recently, where was the international conference on ‘Exploring the Life and Living Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava’ held?
[A] Indore, Madhya Pradesh
[B] Ayodhya, UP
[C] Nalanda, Bihar
[D] Kutch, Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nalanda, Bihar]
Notes:
The International Buddhist Confederation and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara hosted a two-day conference in Nalanda, Bihar, on Guru Padmasambhava’s life and legacy. Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, lived in the 8th century in India and is a highly respected figure in Buddhism. He is recognized as a founding father of Tibetan Buddhism and arrived in Tibet in 749 A.D. He spread Buddha’s teachings across the Himalayan regions including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet. A Tantrist and Yogācāra sect member, he taught at Nalanda and is associated with a blend of Yogic, Tantric practices, and cultural elements such as art, music, and folklore.
4. Nishad Kumar recently won a silver medal in which event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics?
[A] High Jump
[B] Shooting
[C] Wrestling
[D] Table Tennis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [High Jump]
Notes:
Nishad Kumar won a silver medal in the men’s T47 high jump at the Paris Paralympics on September 2. He achieved a season-best jump of 2.04 meters to secure second place. This was his second silver medal, having previously won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics. Townsend-Roberts from the United States won the gold medal with a jump of 2.08 meters. Georgii Margiev from Russia secured the bronze medal.
5. Recently, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh inaugurated three-day Armed Forces Festival in which city?
[A] Kanpur
[B] Varanasi
[C] Lucknow
[D] Ayodhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Lucknow]
Notes:
The three-day Armed Forces Festival began at Surya Khel Parisar in Lucknow Cantonment with much enthusiasm. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festival. He praised the Indian Armed Forces as unparalleled globally, recognized even by India’s enemies. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s leading role in national defense efforts. The Defense Corridor in Uttar Pradesh provides significant employment opportunities for youth. Over 8,000 people attended the festival, enjoying a display of the latest military equipment. The exhibition showcased tanks, helicopters, artillery guns, and more, highlighting India’s technological advancements. The T-90 tank was a notable exhibit.
6. Recently, where was the third edition of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Kenya held?
[A] Lucknow
[B] Kolkata
[C] New Delhi
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The third Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Kenya was held in New Delhi. Discussions covered military cooperation, training, defence industries, and research and development. The Kenyan delegation met Indian defence industry representatives in Delhi and will visit Pune to explore their capabilities. India and Kenya share a longstanding, friendly relationship, strengthened by a 2016 MoU on Defence Cooperation. JDCC serves as a key platform to discuss and enhance defence ties. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, and the Kenyan side was led by Major General David Kipkemboi Ketter.
7. Which state government recently approved 33% reservation to women in the police force and 5% additional allowance to pensioners?
[A] Manipur
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Rajasthan government approved 33% reservation for women in the police force. A 5% additional allowance was approved for pensioners aged 70 to 75. Amendments were made to the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Services Rules, 1989. Rules 67 and 87 of the Rajasthan Civil Services Pension Rules, 1996, were amended under central pension rules. Specially-abled children, dependent parents, and siblings can now be permanently added to the Pension Payment Order (PPO). Gratuity and death gratuity for state employees were increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
8. Recently, which country hosted the 20th ‘Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM)’?
[A] Vietnam
[B] India
[C] South Korea
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Korea]
Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard participated in the 20th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Incheon, South Korea, from 2-6 September 2024. The meeting was hosted by the South Korean Coast Guard. The Indian Coast Guard also held its 12th annual bilateral meeting with the South Korean Coast Guard on 4 September 2024. Discussions focused on maritime law enforcement, safety at sea, marine environment protection, and preventing illicit trafficking of humans, drugs, and weapons. HACGAM was initiated by Japan in 2004 to address piracy issues in Southeast Asian waters, especially in the Straits of Malacca.
9. BPaLM Regimen, recently seen in the news, is associated with which disease?
[A] Malaria
[B] Dengue
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Typhoid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tuberculosis]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry recently introduced the BPaLM regimen for treating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) under the National TB Elimination Program. The BPaLM regimen combines four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and optionally Moxifloxacin. Pretomanid is a new anti-TB drug approved for use in India. The regimen is safer, more effective, and patient-friendly compared to traditional treatments. It is an all-oral treatment with fewer side effects and a shorter duration of just six months, compared to the previous 20-month treatments for drug-resistant TB.
10. What is ‘Teal Carbon’, recently mentioned in news?
[A] Carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands
[B] Carbon stored in oceans
[C] Carbon stored in forests
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands]
Notes:
India’s first study on “teal carbon” was conducted at Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, highlighting the importance of wetland conservation for climate adaptation and resilience. Teal carbon refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, including vegetation, microbial biomass, and organic matter. These wetlands are more effective at capturing and storing carbon than forests, sequestering more carbon than any terrestrial ecosystem. The term “teal carbon” reflects organic carbon’s functions and location rather than physical properties. Globally, wetlands store an estimated 21 petagrams of teal carbon, making them crucial for carbon management.