1. What is the theme of ‘National Tourism Day’, 2024?
A. Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories
B. Tourism and Green Investments
C. Rural and Community Centric Tourism
D. Tourism for Inclusive Growth
- National Tourism Day was celebrated on January 25, 2024. The theme for 2024 was “Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories”. The theme promotes responsible and mindful travel. The central government organizes seminars, cultural events, and other programs to mark the day.
2. Who is the chief guest of Republic Day 2024 celebrations?
A. French President Emmanuel Macron
B. Russian President Vladimir Putin
C. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
D. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations. India prepares for its grand Platinum Jubilee Republic Day celebration, showcasing military strength and cultural heritage at New Delhi’s ‘Kartavya Path’ on Republic Day.
3. “Finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)” report is released by which institution?
A. RBI
B. SBI
C. NABARD
D. IDBI
- The RBI’s “Finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)” report analyzes data from 2.58 lakh Panchayats for 2020-21 to 2022-23, highlighting key findings. Panchayats heavily rely on grants (95%) due to limited own revenue sources like property taxes. Inconsistent data poses challenges in assessing fiscal health. Revenue sources include Central and State government grants, and PRIs have the authority to impose taxes and fees.
4. Where was the 44th All India Criminology Conference of the National Forensic Science University held?
A. Jaipur
B. Gandhinagar
C. Lucknow
D. Indore
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the 5th International and 44th All India Criminology Conference at the National Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The conference focused on Forensic Behavioural Science, an emerging field highlighted by Shah. Emphasizing the role of Behavioral Science in crime prevention, he inaugurated a Digital Forensic Excellence Centre for capacity building and investigations, underscoring its importance alongside a robust administration and judiciary.
5. Recently, India surpassed which country to become the fourth-largest equity market globally?
A. Hong Kong
B. Singapore
C. Sri Lanka
D. Australia
- India recently overtook Hong Kong as the world’s fourth-largest equity market, boasting a total market value of $4.33 trillion, surpassing Hong Kong’s $4.29 trillion. The leading global stock markets are currently the U.S., China, and Japan. This milestone underscores India’s rising prominence in the global financial arena, propelled by a robust GDP, political stability, and foreign investments.
6. Border Security Force (BSF) comes under which ministry?
A. Ministry of External Affairs
B. Ministry of Defence
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Ministry of Power
- Punjab and West Bengal have challenged the central government’s decision to expand the Border Security Force’s (BSF) operational jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km. They argue that this move violates federal principles and encroaches on state law and order powers. The BSF, established in 1965 after the India-Pakistan war, is a vital part of India’s security apparatus, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is primarily deployed along the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, including the Indo-Pakistan International Border and Indo-Bangladesh International Border.
7. What does ‘SMART’ stand for in the context of Indian standards?
A. Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant and Time-bound
B. Standards Machine Applicable Readable and Transferable
C. Standardized Measurement and Reporting Technique
D. Systematic Manageable Analytical Resourceful Timely
- The Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) supports the SMART (Standards Machine Applicable Readable and Transferable) approach to enhance the readability of Indian standards. The initiative by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) prioritizes machine interpretability.
8. Vijay Raghavan Committee was constituted by which ministry?
A. Ministry of External Affairs
B. Ministry of Defence
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Ministry of Power
- A committee led by Prof K Vijay Raghavan, appointed by the Ministry of Defence, reviewed and proposed restructuring of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Established in 1958, DRDO focuses on cutting-edge defense technologies.
9. How many Padma awards were approved by the President for conferment on the eve of 75th Republic Day?
A. 132
B. 130
C. 150
D. 135
- In the year 2024, the President approved the conferment of 132 Padma awards on the eve of Republic Day. This prestigious list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri awards, recognizing exceptional contributions across various fields. Additionally, the list comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, as it features nine awardees from the category of “Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI.”
10. How many individuals were honored with the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2023?
A. 28
B. 29
C. 30
D. 31
- The President of India approved the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2023 for 31 individuals, including 3 posthumous awardees. The awards, recognizing meritorious acts of saving lives, consist of Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (3 recipients), Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak (7 recipients), and Jeevan Raksha Padak (21 recipients).
11. Magnetometer boom is associated with which mission?
A. Chandrayaan-3
B. Aditya-L1
C. Gaganyaan
D. NISAR
- ISRO announced the successful deployment of the 6-meter magnetometer boom on the Aditya-L1 satellite at Lagrange point L-1, after being stowed for 132 days since launch. The boom carries two advanced fluxgate magnetometer sensors, measuring interplanetary magnetic fields in space. Placed at three and six meters from the spacecraft, this minimizes spacecraft-generated magnetic field impact, ensuring accurate measurements.
12. Who has been conferred the prestigious ‘Freedom of City of London’ award?
A. Madhur Kumar
B. Loknath Mishra
C. Sharukh T Wadia
D. Ajit Mishra
- Ajit Mishra, a distinguished India-born lawyer living in the UK, received the prestigious ‘Freedom of the City of London’ award for his remarkable contributions to legal and public life. The Founder and Chair of UK India Legal Partnership, Mishra, a dual-qualified lawyer, boasts over two decades of experience in facilitating M&A and commercial transactions between India and the UK.
13. Pazhassi Irrigation Project is related to which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Karnataka
- The Irrigation Department has initiated the third phase test run for the Pazhassi Irrigation Project, aiming to restore water supply halted since 2008. Canal shutters will open on January 31 at 9:00 am, covering the Renovated Main Canal and Mahi Branch Canal. The test will assess the canals condition.
