1. What is the primary objective of the ‘Global Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality’ launched by India at the World Economic Forum?
A. Educational Innovation
B. Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality
C. Environmental Sustainability
D. Economic Development
- India launched the “Global Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality” during the 54th annual World Economic Forum in Davos. This initiative aims to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality globally. Focused on education, health, and enterprise, the alliance facilitates knowledge sharing, investment opportunities, and best practices to address Sustainable Development Goals, such as Good Health, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Global Partnership for Development.
2. What is the theme of the G-77 Third South Summit in Kampala, Uganda?
A. Leaving No One Behind
B. Economic Resilience and Economic Security
C. Sustainable Development
D. Global Unity & Prosperity
- The Third South Summit is a meeting of the Group of 77 (G-77) that took place in Kampala, Uganda on January 21–22, 2024. The theme of the summit was “Leaving No One Behind”. The summit also included the G77+China Conference.
- The G-77 is a group of 134 countries, including China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The G-77 was established as a reaction to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which were designed to meet the needs of developed countries. The G-77’s policies include strengthening multilateralism, developing friendly relations, and promoting peaceful settlement of disputes.
3. Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways laid the foundation stone for State-of-the Arts ‘Ayush Diksha’ centre in which city?
A. Bhubaneswar
B. Kolkata
C. Bengaluru
D. Kochi
- ‘Ayush Diksha’ Centre, a unique initiative for the development of Ayush professionals, is set to be established at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Bhubaneswar. The foundation stone was laid by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who emphasized integrating traditional Ayush medicine with modern practices.
- The centre, with a budget of Rs. 30 crores, will provide training programs, collaborate with national institutes, and focus on capacity development and research for self-sustainability. It will feature advanced facilities, including auditoriums, a natural library, and a modular kitchen.
4. Kanger Valley National Park, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
A. Kerala
B. Odisha
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Punjab
- Kanger Valley National Park, located in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, is collaborating with diverse organizations and government departments for a unique landscape-based ecological restoration plan. Established in 1982, the park spans 200 sq km along the Kholaba River. Known for diverse topography and exceptional caves like Kutumbasar, Kailash, and Dandak, it houses the Tirathgarh Waterfall.
5. Recently, which two airports were awarded the ‘Best Airport of the Year’ at the Wings India Awards 2024?
A. Chennai & Coimbatore
B. Bengaluru & Delhi
C. Mumbai & Hyderabad
D. Delhi & Lucknow
- The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were jointly awarded the “Best Airport of the Year” at the 2024 Wings India Awards. The award was presented by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia at an event in Hyderabad on January 18, 2024. The Mangaluru airport was also named the “best airport” in the under 5 million passenger category.
6. Recently, which state hosted the sixth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Odisha
C. Kerala
D. Andhra Pradesh
- The sixth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games is hosted by Tamil Nadu, marking the first time the event is held in South India. Taking place from January 19 to 31, 2024, across four cities—Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore—the Games feature 5600 athletes in 275 events spanning 26 sports and one demo sport.
- The mascot, ‘Veera Mangai,’ pays homage to Rani Velu Nachiyar, an anti-colonial queen. The event is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports annually since 2018.
7. SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) mission, recently seen in the news, is launched by which organization?
A. ISRO
B. NASA
C. JAXA
D. ESA
- Launched by JAXA in September 2023, SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) aboard an H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima aims for precise moon landing within 100 meters, showcasing advanced technologies. Carrying Sony and Tomy’s mini robotic rovers for reconnaissance, the mission seeks to revitalize Japan’s space program after setbacks, including the H3 rocket failure. Objectives include observing deep space X-rays and identifying their wavelengths with unprecedented precision using state-of-the-art spectroscopy.
8. Which organization recently launched the first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine called ‘Havisure’?
A. Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL)
B. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C. World Health Organization (WHO)
D. National Institute of Virology
- Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) unveils Havisure, India’s first indigenous Hepatitis-A vaccine, protecting against the contagious liver infection transmitted through contaminated food or water. Priced at Rs 2,150 per dose, Havisure is a vital step in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat. Havisure joins IIL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), vaccines lineup, following Mebella and TeddyVac.
9. Soraya satellite is launched by which country?
A. Iran
B. Iraq
C. UAE
D. Russia
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards achieved a milestone by launching the Soraya satellite into a record-high orbit of 750 km using the Ghaem-100 carrier. Despite U.S. warnings on the dual-use nature of such technology, Iran claims this as a success for its aerospace program. The satellite, weighing around 50 kg, marks Iran’s first placement in orbits higher than 500 km.
10. Which state became the second state in the country, after Bihar, to conduct a caste census?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Rajasthan
- Andhra Pradesh launched a 10-day comprehensive caste census, becoming the second state after Bihar to undertake this initiative. Volunteers will visit every home to collect caste details, which will be transmitted to the village secretariat system, marking a significant step in understanding the state’s demographic composition.
11. Where was the 71st Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council held?
A. Imphal
B. Shillong
C. Guwahati
D. Manipur
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 71st Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, Meghalaya. The NEC focuses on the economic and social development of the eight-state region. Shah highlighted the NEC’s 50-year impact, citing over 12,000 km of roads, power plants, and national institutes established in the region, fostering development and addressing state-specific issues.
12. What is the primary objective of the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, which has recently been in the news?
A. Promoting renewable energy sources
B. Green hydrogen production
C. Supporting nuclear energy initiatives
D. Advancing carbon capture technologies
- The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, a component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, allocates Rs 17,490 crore to boost domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
- Implemented by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the program aims to make India a global Green Hydrogen hub. The broader mission, with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, targets a Green Hydrogen production capacity of 5 MMT annually, reducing fossil fuel imports, attracting ₹8 lakh crore in investments, and creating over 6 lakh jobs by 2030.
