1. The Kharsawan Massacre, that was recently in news, happened in which current state?
A. Odisha
B. Jharkhand
C. Bihar
D. Madhya Pradesh
- On January 1, 1948, the town of Kharsawan in present-day Jharkhand witnessed a massacre of Adivasis by the police. This happened during a protest against the merger of the princely state of Kharsawan into Odisha state. The protesters and locals had gathered there in thousands to hear a speech by Jai Prakash Singh Munda. However, he could not make it to the venue and the restive crowd was fired upon by the police, killing hundreds. The massacre is seen as reminiscent of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy.
2. Who has been recently appointed as the new Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy?
A. Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani
B. Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh
C. Vice Admiral S. R. Sarma
D. Vice Admiral G. S. Pabby
- Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh has taken over as the new Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy from Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani. The Chief of Materiel is the head of the Materials Branch of the Navy, dealing with logistics and maintenance.
3. Recently, which oceanographic research vessel of the Indian Navy has embarked on the Sagar Maitri Mission-4 to Oman?
A. INS Makar
B. INS Sandhayak
C. INS Sagardhwani
D. INS Dhruv
- INS Sagardhwani, an oceanographic research vessel of the Indian Navy, has embarked on the Sagar Maitri Mission-4 to Oman. The goal of the mission is to establish long-term scientific partnerships and collaboration with Indian Ocean Rim countries for ocean research and development. It will also showcase India’s capabilities in marine science and technology.
4. Who has been recently appointed as the Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission?
A. Viral Acharya
B. Jagdish Bhagwati
C. Arvind Panagariya
D. Amit Mitra
- Dr. Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Finance Commission of India. The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that gives recommendations on center-state financial relations. Dr. Panagariya is an eminent economist who has served as the first Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. He will now head the 16th Finance Commission, which will suggest the tax devolution formula between the centre and states for 5 years starting 2026-27.
5. What is the name of the scheme established by the Supreme Court of India to ensure the safety of witnesses facing threats?
A. Safety Assurance Scheme
B. Witness Protection Scheme
C. Witness Security Programme
D. Judicial Witness Guard
- The Supreme Court of India has drawn up a nationwide Witness Protection Scheme to provide security to witnesses facing threats. This became necessary as witnesses often turn hostile during trials due to harassment or lack of protection. The scheme provides for threat assessment of witnesses and protective measures based on three categories of threat perception.
6. Where is the National Fisheries Development Board establishing an Eri silk spinning plant?
A. Guwahati, Assam
B. Mushalpur, Assam
C. Shillong, Meghalaya
D. Imphal, Manipur
- The National Fisheries Development Board is establishing an Eri silk spinning plant at Mushalpur, Baksa district in Assam. This ₹15 crore project, part of the blue revolution scheme, will provide direct employment to 375 individuals and benefit 25,000 households engaged in silk production.
7. Since which year, India and Pakistan exchange list of their nuclear installations and facilities in first week of January?
A. 1988
B. 1992
C. 1995
D. 1998
- India and Pakistan recently continued their long-standing practice of exchanging lists of their nuclear installations and facilities, a procedure they have followed since January 1, 1992. This exchange, which is the 33rd consecutive one, is mandated by the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. The agreement, signed in 1988 and effective from 1991, requires both countries to annually inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities every January 1st.
8. What is the primary objective of the North-East Venture Fund set up by NEDFi?
A. To provide financial assistance for large infrastructure projects only.
B. To invest in real estate development across India.
C. To support and invest in startup ventures in the North-East region of India.
D. To provide consultancy services to state governments in the North-East.
- North-East Venture Fund (NEVF), established by NEDFi (North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd.), is aimed at encouraging and collaborating with startup ventures in the North-East region of India.
- With a commitment of ₹100 crore to the fund, contributed by the ministry, NEDFi, and SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), NEVF focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and business initiatives in the region. This initiative aligns with NEDFi’s broader role in providing financial assistance and advisory services for various enterprises and projects in India’s North-East.
9. What is the name of government scheme with the primary aim of providing financial assistance to tuberculosis (TB) patients for their nutritional needs?
A. TB Poshan Yojana
B. Nikshay Poshan Yojana
C. TB-DBT
D. Akshay Poshan
- Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was introduced by the government in April 2018 with the primary aim of providing financial assistance to tuberculosis (TB) patients for their nutritional needs. Recognizing undernutrition as a significant risk factor for TB, the scheme offers ₹500 per month as direct benefit transfer (DBT) to TB patients. This monetary support is intended to help patients purchase food and maintain a nutritious diet throughout the duration of their TB treatment.
10. Who heads the committee set up to examine the issue of holding simultaneous elections in India?
A. Laxmikant Bajpai
B. Baburam Nishad
C. Vijaypal Singh Tomar
D. Ramnath Kovind
- A high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind was set up last year to examine the issue of holding simultaneous elections in India. Simultaneous elections refer to holding elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies together. This would streamline the election process and reduce expenditure. The committee headed by Kovind has initiated consultations on this idea, which has been gaining support. The government is working on a roadmap to enable synchronized two-phase Lok Sabha and assembly polls from 2024 onwards.
11. Which state is host of the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. West Bengal
C. Rajasthan
D. Karnataka
- Rajasthan will host the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’. The inaugural edition of this bilateral drill will be conducted from January 2nd to January 15th, 2024 in Rajasthan. The aim is to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and UAE forces by exchanging best practices in areas like urban operations. This comes under expanding defense ties between the two nations who are strategic partners.
12. Which city is the location of recently inaugurated India’s first Girls’ Military School?
A. Lucknow
B. Vrindavan
C. Gurgaon
D. Faridabad
- The first Girls’ Military School in India was inaugurated in Vrindavan, Mathura. This inaugural event was jointly conducted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Samvid Gurukulam Girls Military School, located within the Vatsalya Gram campus and established by Sadhvi Ritambhara, aims to provide education and training to 870 female students. This initiative marks a significant step in extending military education traditionally reserved for male students in India to female students as well.
13. What is the name of Radar that is being developed by India for the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet fleet?
A. Trinetra
B. Virupaksha
C. Rohini
D. Swati
- India is developing an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system called ‘Virupaaksha’ to upgrade its fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets. Being manufactured indigenously it would be the most capable radar equipping any Sukhoi variant globally. This airborne radar uses electronic instead of mechanical scanning.
14. Which state set a Guinness World Record in 2024 for the most number of people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 venues?
A. Maharashtra
B. Gujarat
C. Karnataka
D. Rajasthan
- Gujarat set a Guinness World Record on the first day of 2024 for the largest number of people, exceeding 50,000, performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 different venues. This feat was recognized as a significant cultural achievement and hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized the special significance of the number 108 in Indian culture. The event, which culminated in a state-wide competition, saw a major gathering at the iconic Modhera Sun Temple in Mehsana district, overseen by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
