1. Agasthyagama edge belongs to which one of the following species?
A. Snake
B. Kangaroo lizard
C. Wolf Spider
D. Frog
- Scientists recently discovered a new kangaroo lizard species, Agasthyagama edge, in the Western Ghats. Named after the EDGE program, it’s the second in the Agasthyagama genus. Found in Kulamavu, Idukki, it belongs to the Agamidae family. These terrestrial reptiles, lacking a fifth toe for climbing, prefer leaf-covered areas. Averaging 4.3 cm in length, they are fast runners feeding on small insects, and they hide within dry leaves to avoid predators.
2. “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” (Come Look for You, In Your Village) scheme is launched by which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Andhra Pradesh
- The Government of Tamil Nadu introduces the Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril Scheme, offering citizens monthly access to state government schemes and scholarships. This initiative aims to review project performance, inspect infrastructure, and address public concerns, ensuring effective implementation of government programs.
3. Recently, which neurotechnology company has embedded the first computer chip in a human brain?
A. Neuralink
B. Kernel
C. Blackrock Neurotech
D. Neurable
- Neuralink is the first company to implant a computer chip in a human brain. Neuralink is a neurotechnology company founded in 2016 by Musk and seven other scientists and engineers. The company’s implant, known as the “Link,” is a small device that’s surgically placed inside the human brain. Neuralink says its device can interpret neural activity so a person can operate a computer or smartphone by simply thinking. The company ultimately hopes to use the brain-machine interface to restore sensory and motor functions in people with disabilities, treat neurological conditions like dementia and depression, and even enable telepathic communication.
4. What is ‘Kudavolai System’?
A. Caste System
B. Electoral System
C. Irrigation System
D. Tax System
- Tamil Nadu’s Republic Day Parade 2024 featured the Kudavolai System, an ancient electoral method dating back to the 10th century Chola era. Documented in Uthiramerur inscriptions, it was employed to elect village administration representatives.
- The system involved dividing villages into wards, with residents choosing their representatives through a unique process: contestants’ names on palm leaf tickets (volai) placed in a pot (kuda), and a boy selecting tickets to declare elected leaders. Tamil Nadu’s tableau showcasing this historical system earned the third-best award.
5. Recently, which department launched the ‘StartupShala’, a flagship accelerator program of startup India?
A. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
C. Department of Economic Affairs
D. Department of Agricultural Research and Education
- StartupShala, launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), features the Flagship Accelerator Program. Designed to propel early-stage startups, the program aims to expedite their growth by furnishing resources and opportunities.
- Through a vast network of partners spanning incubation centers, educational institutions, and corporate entities, startups benefit from diverse facilities and resources, elevating their journey to the next level of success.
6. What is the IMF’s estimated forecast for India’s GDP growth in the current financial year?
A. 6.1% B. 6.2%
C. 6.4% D. 6.7%
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.7% for the current fiscal year, a 40 basis points rise from the previous estimate of 6.3%. This positive revision is credited to strong public investment and positive labor market trends, as outlined in the latest World Economic Outlook report.
7. Which one of the following is the mascot for the Khelo India Winter Games 2024?
A. Bengal Tiger
B. Snow Leopard
C. Falcon
D. Arctic Fox
- The mascot for the 2024 Khelo India Winter Games is the snow leopard, named “Sheen-e She” or “Shan” in the Ladakh region. The mascot was chosen to reflect the region’s biodiversity and tradition. The games will be held in Ladakh from February 2–6, and in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21–25. The mascot symbolizes the spirit of the games and highlights the need to conserve this endangered species.
8. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are located in which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Himachal Pradesh
- India has included five additional wetlands in the Ramsar Convention’s global list of significant wetlands, bringing the nation’s total to 80. Announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the newly added wetlands include Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, and Aghanashini Estuary from Karnataka, along with Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest from Tamil Nadu. This designation underscores India’s commitment to preserving vital waterlogged ecosystems.
9. Which state of India has recorded the highest number of Ramsar sites?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Odisha
D. Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu leads India in environmental conservation with 16 Ramsar sites, the highest nationwide. The recent additions, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest and Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, underscore the state’s commitment to ecological preservation. Ramsar sites, designated under an international treaty, highlight the ecological importance, biodiversity richness, and their crucial role in supporting human life and environmental health.
10. Which player won the Women’s singles title at the Australian Open, 2024?
A. Ankita Raina
B. Aryna Sabalenka
C. Zheng Qinwen
D. Barbora Krejcikova
- Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won the 2024 Australian Open women’s singles title. Sabalenka defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen 6–3, 6–2 to win her second consecutive Grand Slam title. Sabalenka is the 1st woman to win back-to-back Australian Open titles since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 & 2013.
11. ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ scheme is launched by which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Maharashtra
- Sports Development and Youth Welfare Ministry announced the ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ initiative, distributing sports equipment in 12,000 village panchayats to commemorate M. Karunanidhi’s birth centenary. The scheme begins on February 7 in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu and aims to support young athletes.
12. Which ministry has received the highest budgetary allocation in the Interim Budget 2024?
A. Ministry of Railways
B. Ministry of Defence
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Ministry of Rural Development
- The Defence Budget for the Financial Year 2024-25 has reached Rs 6,21,540.85 crore, constituting 13.04% of the total Union Budget. Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman presented this budget with a focus on self-reliance and exports.
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) received the highest allocation, marking an 18.35% increase from FY 2022-23. Capital accounts for 27.67%, revenue for 14.82%, pay and allowances for 30.68%, defence pensions for 22.72%, and civil organizations under MoD for 4.11%.
13. Recently, which five countries officially joined the BRICS group?
A. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Iran & Ethiopia
B. Argentina, Chile, Iraq, Sudan & Somalia
C. Peru, Namibia, Guyana, Bulgaria & Turkey
D. Mali, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos & Bhutan
- Five countries officially joined the BRICS group: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia. The countries were invited to join the group in August 2023, after the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Argentina was also invited but backed out at the end of December. BRICS is an acronym for the emerging national economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term was originally coined in 2001 as “BRIC” by the Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill.
