1. Recently, which ministry of India has recommended imposing an anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil imported from China?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Commerce and Industry]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry recommended an anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil imported from China. Anti-dumping duty is a tariff imposed on foreign imports priced below fair market value. Dumping occurs when a product is exported at a price lower than in its domestic market. The duty matches the price difference between the import price and market value in the exporting or other similar markets. It aims to protect local businesses from unfair competition by foreign imports. The World Trade Organization (WTO) allows anti-dumping measures to ensure fair competition. Legal action requires evidence of genuine harm to domestic industries.
2. Recently, which state government has been launched ‘Project Bhediya’ to capture wolves?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Bihar
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
A recent man-eating wolf attack in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has put about 35 villages on high alert. Forest officials have launched ‘Project Bhediya’ to capture the wolves involved. India has two wolf species: the Indian Wolf in peninsular regions and the Himalayan Wolf in the upper trans-Himalayan ranges. Wolves are highly social, living in packs of 6-8, running at high speeds, and maintaining a male dominance hierarchy. They communicate through vocalizations and scent-marking. Grey Wolf is listed as Least Concern by IUCN, while the Himalayan Wolf is Vulnerable; both are protected under Schedule I of WPA, 1974.
3. Which day is observed as ‘World Coconut Day (WCD)’ annually?
[A] 1 september
[B] 2 September
[C] 3 September
[D] 4 September
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 September]
Notes:
World Coconut Day is observed every year on September 2nd to highlight the importance of coconuts. It aims to raise awareness about various uses of coconuts and promote sustainable farming practices. The theme for World Coconut Day 2024 is “Coconut for a Circular Economy: Building Partnership for Maximum Value.” The day was first celebrated in 2009, initiated by the International Coconut Community (ICC), a UNESCAP intergovernmental body. The ICC includes 21 coconut-producing countries, with India as a founding member. The ICC’s headquarters is located in Jakarta, Indonesia, and it was known as the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community until 2018.
4. Grom-E1 missile, recently seen in the news, is developed by which country?
[A] China
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
Russian troops recently used a Grom-E1 hybrid missile to hit Kharkiv, Ukraine. The Grom-E1 is a modernized weapon based on the Soviet-era Kh-38 missile. It was developed by Russia and first introduced in 2018. The Grom-E1 combines features of both a missile and an aerial bomb. It has a maximum range of 120 km, with a high-explosive warhead and a contact detonator. A variant with a thermobaric design can detonate at high altitudes. The effectiveness depends on the altitude and speed of the launching aircraft. It can be launched from Russian aircraft like the MiG-35, Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57.
5. Which ministry recently launched the ‘AgriSURE Fund’ and ‘Krishi Nivesh Portal’ in New Delhi?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
[B] Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare]
Notes:
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AgriSURE Fund and Krishi Nivesh Portal in New Delhi. He conferred the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Excellence Awards to top-performing banks and states. The awards recognized and appreciated outstanding efforts in agricultural infrastructure. Ministers of State and representatives from various states and banks attended the event. The Ministry believed the award ceremony would inspire other banks to improve their performance. The AIF was launched in 2022 to develop post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
6. Which state government recently passed ‘Aparajita Women and Child Bill 2024’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
In response to a tragic crime of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital on August 9, the West Bengal Assembly passed the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, to strengthen protections for women and children. The bill amends several criminal laws, including the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012. It proposes harsher penalties for rape, including life imprisonment for the convict’s natural life or the death penalty. The bill mandates time-bound investigations of rape cases within 21 days. It also imposes penalties for unauthorized publication of court proceedings and ensures convicts bear victims’ medical costs.
7. Which organization recently released “India Development Update: India’s Trade Opportunities in a Changing Global Context” report?
[A] World Bank
[B] International Monetary Fund
[C] United Nations Development Programme
[D] International Labour Organization
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank stated that India’s medium-term outlook remains positive despite challenging global conditions. India’s growth is expected to reach 7% in the financial year 2024-25 and stay strong in 2025-26 and 2026-27. The World Bank released a report ‘India Development Update: India’s Trade Opportunities in a Changing Global Context’ on 3 September 2024. With strong revenue growth and fiscal consolidation, the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to decrease from 83.9% in 2023-24 to 82% by 2026-27. The current account deficit is expected to remain around 1 to 1.6% of GDP until 2026-27. The World Bank emphasized the importance of trade for growth but noted that increased protectionism and barriers could limit trade opportunities.
8. Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, recently seen in the news, is manufactured by which organization?
[A] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)]
Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Security recently approved the procurement of 240 aero-engines for Su-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Su-30MKI is a multirole combat fighter aircraft developed jointly by Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the IAF. It is based on the Su-30 fighter aircraft and features thrust vectoring control and canards. The Su-30MKI is a fourth-generation fighter jet powered by two AL-31FP aero engines, which are high-temperature turbojet by-pass engines. The aircraft is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, tested successfully in November 2017. It includes a Tarang Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) developed by DRDO. The Su-30MKI has a maximum unrefueled flight range of 3,000 km, which can extend to 8,000 km with two in-flight refuelings. The aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
9. Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas, recently seen in the news, was conducted under which mission?
[A] National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
[B] National Water Mission
[C] National One Health Mission
[D] Atal Innovation Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National One Health Mission]
Notes:
“Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas” is a mock drill conducted under the National One Health Mission (NOHM) to prepare for pandemic situations. NOHM focuses on the “One Health” approach, integrating disease control across human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors. The exercise aimed to assess the readiness and response of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT). A simulated scenario of a zoonotic disease outbreak was created to mimic a real-world situation. The drill involved multiple national and state agencies, including ICMR, AIIMS Jodhpur BSL-3 Lab, and state administrations.
10. ‘Na Anka famine’, recently seen in news, was associated with which state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Bihar
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Odisha]
Notes:
The Union Education Minister proposed renaming Ravenshaw University due to its association with the Na Anka Famine during Thomas Edward Ravenshaw’s tenure. The Na Anka Famine, also known as the Great Odisha Famine, devastated Odisha in 1866, two years before Ravenshaw University was founded in 1868. The famine was so severe that about one-third of Odisha’s population died. It occurred during the 9th Regnal year of King Divya Singha Deva of Orissa. Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, a British bureaucrat and colonial commissioner of Odisha, witnessed the famine’s devastating impact firsthand.