1. When is the ‘World Braille Day’ observed every year?
A. January.01
B. January.02
C. January.04
D. January.06
- Every year Jan.04 is observed as World Braille Day to raise the importance of Braille, which serves as a communication medium for blind and partially sighted people. The day was first initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 and January is observed as Braille Literacy month. French Educator, who innovated the Braille system Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809.
2. What was the primary field of Ved Prakash Nanda, who passed away recently?
A. Agriculture
B. Environment Protection
C. International Law
D. Human Rights
- Ved Prakash Nanda, who received the Padma Bhushan award on 20 March 2018 in the field of literature and education, passed away on Jan.01, 2024. He was an esteemed professor of International Law at the University of Denver, Colorado. His significant contributions in this field were further recognized through the establishment of the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Denver, emphasizing his profound influence and specialization in International Law.
3. Muhammad Yunus, who received Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microfinance banking and was recently making news, belongs to which country?
A. India
B. Pakistan
C. Bangladesh
D. Saudi Arabia
- Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus received the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize along with Grameen Bank he founded, for contributions to alleviating poverty through pioneering microfinance services. Providing small loans to entrepreneurs lacking access to traditional banking, his microcredit model aided millions. Recently, Yunus faced legal troubles in Bangladesh over alleged violations of labor laws by Grameen Telecom, critics calling it political retribution for his opposition to government policies earlier.
4. Which organization issues electoral bonds in India?
A. Reserve Bank of India
B. SIDBI
C. NABARD
D. State Bank of India
- India’s electoral bond scheme sees authorized SBI branches issue these interest-free bearer bonds to protect donor anonymity. As per provisions, only political parties securing over 1% votes can encash them. Recently, the Finance Ministry granted SBI permission for the 30th phase sale of electoral bonds from Jan 2-11, 2023 across 29 branches.
5. As per a recent report, what percentage of India’s agriculture imports in 2023 comprised of vegetable oils, pulses and fruits?
A. 86.4%
B. 62.1%
C. 57.8%
D. 72.1%
- As India pursues food self-sufficiency, an analysis shows reliance on importing vegetable oils, pulses and dried fruits persist due to domestic supply limitations. For 2023, these three categories dominate agriculture imports, contributing 72.1% of the total import bill as per commerce ministry data. Palm oils alone account for 51.9 percent due to poor oilseed yields constraining India’s progress in edible oil security.
6. Which state government signed an MoU with Jakson Green for a green hydrogen project?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Rajasthan
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. West Bengal
- Jakson Green, engaged in renewable energy solutions, recently signed an MoU with the government of Rajasthan to set up a green hydrogen & green ammonia project. This assumes significance as India targets becoming a global hub for green hydrogen production and export by 2030. Jakson Green is exploring sites in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu too for potential scale up.
7. What is the name of the mission launched by the Health Ministry to screen people for sickle cell disease?
A. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission
B. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
C. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission
D. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Mission
- The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission was launched by the Health Ministry on 1st July 2023 at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh to screen people across India for sickle cell disease. It aims to screen 7 crore people over 3 years, focusing on tribal populations and other high prevalence areas across 17 states. The mission provides screening, prevention and management of sickle cell anemia. Its goal is to eliminate the disease in India through early detection and intervention.
8. What is the astronomical term for the point when the Earth is closest to the Sun?
A. Solstice
B. Equinox
C. Perihelion
D. Aphelion
- Perihelion refers to the point in Earth’s elliptical orbit when it is closest to the Sun. In 2024, this event known as Perihelion Day will occur on January 3 when Earth comes within 91.4 million miles of the Sun. It occurs around two weeks after the December solstice each year. The opposite point when Earth is farthest from the Sun is called Aphelion which will occur on July 6, 2024.
9. Which animal has recently been declared the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan?
A. Snow leopard
B. Yak
C. Eagle
D. Horse
- Kyrgyzstan has declared the snow leopard as its new national symbol. Snow leopards inhabit the Tian Shan Mountain range in the country. They feature in Kyrgyz folklore and are seen as a symbol of greatness, nobility and resilience. Conservation of the endangered species will be promoted under the new status.
10. What is the name of the new frog species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh named after the Patkai hills?
A. Arunchalops patkaiensis
B. Gracixalus patkaiensis
C. Rana patkaiensis
D. Kaloula patkaiensis
- A new species of see-through green frog named Gracixalus patkaiensis has been discovered in the biodiverse Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. The tiny 2.2 cm frog inhabits dense undergrowth in evergreen forests at the foothills of the Patkai range, and has a distinct insect-like call. It has been named after the Patkai hills of the Eastern Himalayas.
11. The Asanur Pipeline Terminal, recently commissioned by Indian Oil Corporation is located in which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Kerala
D. Karnataka
- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has commissioned the Asanur Pipeline Terminal in Tamil Nadu to cater to the growing energy demand in the state. Built at a cost of ₹456 crore, it will serve 8 districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by transporting petroleum products through a pipeline network. It will reduce pressure on existing terminals in Chennai.
12. Which UT has become the first Union Territory to implement PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
A. Ladakh
B. Jammu & Kashmir
C. Puducherry
D. Lakshadweep
- Jammu & Kashmir has become the first Union Territory to roll out the PM Vishwakarma Yojana skill training program for craftsmen and artisans. 30 trainees have enrolled in the first batch focused on tailoring and dress design at the ITI center in Shopian. Implementation aims to foster local businesses and self-employment.
13. What is the primary purpose of the ‘National Single Window System (NSWS)’ launched by CDSCO?
A. Digital Health Records Management
B. Streamlining Medical Device Import
C. Medical Research Funding
D. Public Health Surveillance
- The ‘National Single Window System (NSWS)’ launched by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is primarily designed to streamline the import of medical devices. Developed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) through Invest India, this unified portal aims to create a centralized platform for investors, thus enhancing the ease of doing business. The NSWS serves as a one-stop-shop for all approvals related to the import of medical devices, facilitating applications for certificates of registration, manufacturing licenses, and import licenses.
