1. What is the name of the carbon tax that the UK plans to implement from 2027 on imports of materials like steel and aluminum?
A. Carbon Border Tax (CBT)
B. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
C. Global Emissions Import Levy (GEIL)
D. Cross-Border Carbon Surcharge (CBCS)
- The carbon tax that the UK plans to levy from 2027 on imports of carbon-intensive materials is the Carbon Border Tax. It will apply to items like iron, steel, aluminum, ceramics and cement. India opposes such green border levies as non-tariff barriers. The UK is following the EU which has already rolled out its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
2. Recently, Haryana has emerged victorious in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023-24 by defeating?
A. Rajasthan
B. Maharashtra
C. Punjab
D. Gujarat
- In December 2023, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a domestic cricket tournament in India, concluded with Haryana defeating Rajasthan in the final at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Stadium. This victory marked Haryana’s first title and their debut final appearance in the competition, which began in the 1993-94 season. Tamil Nadu holds the record for the most titles, having won the trophy five times.
3. International Gender Equality Prize is given by which country?
A. Sweden
B. Finland
C. Norway
D. Estonia
- The International Gender Equality Prize in 2023 was awarded to the Afghan Women Skills Development Center. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland presented the €300,000 award to Mahbouba Seraj, the Center’s Executive Director, in Tampere on December 11, 2023.
- The Center is recognized for its crucial work in defending women’s rights and promoting gender equality in Afghanistan, particularly under challenging conditions following the Taliban’s rise to power. International Gender Equality Prize is a government prize administered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland. Tampere has been a partner of the Prize and the host city for the award ceremony since 2017.
4. What is the name of the potato disease that has caused substantial damage to potato crops across various districts of Punjab?
A. Downy Mildew
B. Late Blight
C. Powdery Mildew
D. Verticillium Wilt
- The potato disease that has ravaged crops across Punjab districts is called late blight. It displays symptoms like green circular spots on potatoes that expand into dark brown lesions. Over 50% of the state’s potato cultivation has been impacted by late blight fungal infestation. Excess moisture and humidity encouraged its proliferation, resulting in rotting of tubers.
5. Whose forthcoming memoir is titled ‘Four Stars of Destiny’?
A. Admiral Karambir Singh
B. Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria
C. General M M Naravane
D. Lieutenant General Rajendra Singh
- It is former Army Chief General M M Naravane’s forthcoming memoir “Four Stars of Destiny” that mentions the armed forces were taken by surprise when the Agnipath military recruitment scheme was introduced. Gen Naravane writes he had proposed a Tour of Duty model for limited jawan intake but what came up as Agnipath applied to all new recruits in Army, Navy and Air Force, that too for only 4 years.
6. Recently, which country emerged as the winner of U-19 Asia Cup 2023?
A. India
B. UAE
C. Pakistan
D. Bangladesh
- Bangladesh won the 2023 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup by defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 195 runs on December 17, 2023. This was Bangladesh’s first Under-19 Asia Cup title. Shibli was named player of the tournament.
7. UN Arabic Language Day is celebrated on which date?
A. December 16
B. December 18
C. December 20
D. December 19
- World Arabic Language Day is observed on December 18th annually, established in 2010 by UNESCO to celebrate the Arabic language and cultural diversity. International Migrants Day, also on December 18th, was initiated by the UNGA in 2000 to recognize the increasing global migrant population. In India, National Minorities Rights Day is marked on December 18th to uphold the rights of various minority groups. The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is commemorated on December 17th, started in 2003 to highlight violence against sex workers.
8. Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty, who is one of the recipients of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023, is associated with which sports?
A. Chess
B. Badminton
C. Tennis
D. Hockey
- The National Sports Awards 2023, as declared by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, are scheduled to be conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, 2024. Among the recipients, badminton players Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj will be honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023. Additionally, 26 players are set to receive the Arjuna Award this year.
9. Recently which IIT has developed BRAHMA-2D model to understand complex flow patterns of large braided rivers like Brahmaputra?
A. IIT Madras
B. IIT Kanpur
C. IIT Guwahati
D. IIT Bengaluru
- IIT Guwahati researchers have developed an indigenous river model named BRAHMA-2D (Braided River Aid: Hydro-Morphological Analyzer) to understand complex flow patterns of large braided rivers like Brahmaputra. It combines advanced mathematical modeling with extensive field research to map 3D velocity changes from surface to riverbed. This model can provide valuable insights for design of sustainable structures like embankments, bridges etc along Brahmaputra River. It was successfully validated near Majuli island to demonstrate its practical applicability.
10. United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of:_________
A. Millets
B. Pulses
C. Artificial Intelligence
D. Camelids
- The United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids to emphasize the significant importance of camelids, such as alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas, in the lives of people worldwide.
- The International Year of Camelids 2024 aims to raise awareness of their untapped potential and encourage increased investment in the camelid sector, promoting research, capacity development, and innovative practices and technologies.
11. What is Zero Trust Authentication, that was recently making news?
A. A cybersecurity framework
B. A single sign-on solution
C. A data encryption method
D. An antivirus software
- To enhance cybersecurity, the government of India has implemented a secure e-mail system for 10,000 users across 17 ministries and departments. This system, developed by the National Informatics Centre, employs Zero Trust Authentication, including two-factor authentication with biometrics or facial recognition. It’s a response to increasing cyberattacks, such as the AIIMS Delhi incident in November 2022.
12. Which film won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival?
A. Featherweight
B. Endless Borders
C. Children of Nobody
D. Kantara
- ‘Children of Nobody’ clinched the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival. Other films like ‘Endless Borders’ and ‘Kantara’ received accolades at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), with ‘Kantara’ making history in the Kannada film industry. Michael Douglas was honored with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, and ‘Panchayat Season 2’ was named Best Web Series.
13. Which platform was developed by the National Health Authority for seamless transfer of medical claims data between insurers and healthcare providers?
A. Health Data Exchange (HDX)
B. National Health Claims Exchange (HCX)
C. Medical Insurance Transfer Protocol (MITP)
D. Healthcare Interoperability System (HIS)
- The National Health Authority developed the National Health Claims Exchange (HCX) platform. It facilitates the secure exchange of medical claims data between insurers and healthcare providers, streamlining claim settlements and standardizing health insurance processes in the country.
