1. The Gelephu Special Administration Region (SAR), that was recently in news, is located in which country?
A. Nepal
B. China
C. Bhutan
D. India (Sikkim)
- King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan recently unveiled plans for the Gelephu Special Administration Region (SAR), a 1,000 sq km mega city project near the Indian border. The $4.5 billion project aims to transform the southern border town of Gelephu into an economic hub. Positioned as a gateway between South Asia and Southeast Asia, the SAR would have its own laws and systems to attract foreign investments.
2. The terms “JN.1” and “Pirola”, that were recently making news, are related to which of the following?
A. Artificial Intelligence Development
B. Climate Change Initiatives
C. COVID-19
D. Malaria
- Indian authorities have confirmed the presence of JN.1, a new sub-variant of the Covid-19 virus, in a patient from Kerala. Designated as a genotype of the Omicron variant, the JN.1 sub-variant is closely related to the BA.2.86 strain, also called Pirola. JN.1 was initially identified in January 2023 based on genomic surveillance data from the USA and China. Its emergence highlights how the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve into new sub-variants through constant mutations.
3. Swarved Mahamandir, which is World’s Largest Meditation Centre, inaugurated recently is located which city?
A. New Delhi
B. Varanasi
C. Ujjain
D. Jaipur
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi, billed as the world’s largest meditation centre. The grand seven-storey superstructure can accommodate 20,000 people for meditation at a time. Its interiors depict verses from Swarveda carved on walls, columns and ceilings.
4. Which state has recently overtaken Tamil Nadu to emerge as the second largest economy in India after Maharashtra?
A. Karnataka
B. Rajasthan
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Gujarat
- Uttar Pradesh recently overtook Tamil Nadu to become the second largest economy among Indian states after Maharashtra. As per recent data, UP accounts for nearly 9.2% share of the national GDP, behind Maharashtra’s 15.7% share. Experts have credited UP’s feat to the Yogi Adityanath-led government’s industry friendly policies that have boosted investments.
5. Sirpur wetland, that was recently making news, is located in which state?
A. Gujarat
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Odisha
D. West Bengal
- Sirpur wetland is a Ramsar site in Indore. It was recently in news as it has got Rs 6 crore sanctioned for an interpretation centre. The district administration generated funds by selling unused government land, 25% of which will be used for Sirpur’s development including building an interpretation centre costing Rs 6 crore.
6. At present (December 2023), which state accounts for highest share in total rooftop solar installation capacity in India?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Gujarat
C. Maharashtra
D. Rajasthan
- Gujarat accounts for 31% of India’s total rooftop solar installation capacity, which is highest among states and UTs. According to data shared in Lok Sabha, Gujarat has 3,174 MW of rooftop solar capacity installed, which is 31% of India’s 10,406 MW total as of 2023.
7. What is the name of the scheme under which Indian scientific expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions are conducted?
A. PACER
B. POLARIS
C. ICECAP
D. ARCTICA
- Indian scientific missions to Earth’s poles – the Arctic and Antarctica – are facilitated under the Polar and Cryosphere (PACER) scheme executed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The PACER scheme which coordinates R&D in polar regions involving scientists across India’s research institutes steers projects to expand understanding of climate change, space weather and cryosphere dynamics among other areas through these expeditions.
8. Yogmaya temple, that was recently making news, is located in which city?
A. Varanasi
B. Ujjain
C. Delhi
D. Guntur
- The Yogmaya Temple, alternatively known as Jogmaya Temple, is a 19th-century Hindu temple devoted to Goddess Yogmaya, Krishna’s sister. Nestled in Mehrauli, New Delhi, near the Qutb complex, the temple showcases a distinctive Hindu architectural style.
9. Which ministry has recently initiated the ‘Dare to Dream’ scheme in honor of the late former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam?
A. Ministry of Education
B. Ministry of Defence
C. Ministry of External Affairs
D. Ministry of Sports
- The Dare to Dream (D2D) scheme is a contest organized by the Ministry of Defence in India, specifically by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The contest aims to encourage innovation and creativity among individual innovators and start-ups.
- The Dare to Dream Contest, initiated in memory of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Launched in 2019, the contest provides a unique opportunity for start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs, and individuals above 18 years old to address key challenges in emerging technologies, ultimately contributing to enhancing India’s defence and aerospace capabilities.
10. Recently, which company has developed “Krutrim”, being promoted as India’s own AI and a Multilingual Large Language model?
A. Oyo
B. Ola
C. PayTM
D. ChatGPT
- Ola has unveiled Krutrim, a “Made for India” Large Language Model akin to ChatGPT. This independent AI system, tailored for 10 Indian languages, is distinct from Ola’s mobility and EV ventures. The system, trained on proprietary datasets, aims to address India’s linguistic diversity and cultural context.
11. During the recent Cyclone Michaung, an oil spill occurred into the Buckingham Canal and Ennore Creek in which Indian State?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Andhra Pradesh
- During Cyclone Michaung, an oil spill occurred in Tamil Nadu from the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) into the Buckingham Canal and Ennore Creek. Ennore Creek, a vital buffer along the Coromandel Coast in Chennai, plays a crucial role in protecting the aquifers of the Araniyar-Kosasthalaiyar Basin from the sea. Positioned in the floodplains of three rivers on a coastline prone to disasters, Chennai relies on wetlands like Ennore Creek as natural shock absorbers during calamities.
12. International Migrants Day and Minority Rights Day are celebrated on which date every year?
A. December 17
B. December 18
C. December 19
D. December 20
- International Migrants Day is celebrated annually on December 18th. The day recognizes the contributions and challenges faced by migrants worldwide. The theme for International Migrants Day 2023 is “Promoting Safe Migration”. Designated as National Minorities Rights Day, December 18 carries significant importance in India. It serves as a poignant reminder of the dedication to safeguarding the rights of religious, ethnic, racial, and linguistic minorities within the nation.
13. LEADS 2023 report has been released by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Education
B. Ministry of Defence
C. NITI Aayog
D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- The fifth LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2023 report, recently released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provides insights into the logistics performance of various states and Union Territories in India. Among the noteworthy highlights, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, and Gujarat are included in the 13 states and Union Territories recognized as “achievers” in the logistics index chart for 2023. It is worth mentioning that the count has decreased from 15 to 13 states this year.
