21. What is the name of the second multi-purpose vessel (MPV) recently launched for the Indian Navy?
[A] INS Utkarsh
[B] INS Vikrant
[C] INS Sangam
[D] INS Karanj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [INS Utkarsh]
Notes:
Larsen & Toubro launched the second multi-purpose vessel, INS Utkarsh, for the Indian Navy at Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. INS Utkarsh, meaning “Superior in Conduct,” is built by L&T Shipbuilding Limited. The vessel is 106m long, 18.6m wide, with a displacement over 3,750 tonnes, and a maximum speed of 15 knots. It will enhance maritime surveillance, patrolling, and disaster relief capabilities of the Navy. The launch follows the first MPV, INS Samarthak, within three months. This aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, showcasing indigenous shipbuilding progress.
22. India has designated which day as “Lokpal Day”?
[A] 14 January
[B] 15 January
[C] 16 January
[D] 17 January
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [16 January]
Notes:
The Lokpal of India has declared January 16 as “Lokpal Day,” with the first observance on January 16, 2025. The decision was made during a meeting on March 14, 2024. Lokpal Day highlights the establishment of the Lokpal and aims to raise awareness about its role in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
23. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.O is an initiative of which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the registration portal for the 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS). KTS 3.0 will start on 15th February 2025 and run until 24th February 2025 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The event aims to celebrate and reaffirm the historical connection between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, two ancient centers of learning. KTS is an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, focusing on celebrating the civilizational link between these two regions.
24. Which company has launched India’s first private satellite constellation?
[A] Pixxel
[B] Dhruva space
[C] Digantara
[D] Satellize
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pixxel]
Notes:
Google-backed Pixxel launched India’s first private satellite constellation, marking a milestone for the country’s private space sector. The satellites use hyperspectral imaging technology to capture detailed data across light bands for agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defense. This technology can help improve crop yields, track resources, monitor oil spills, and provide better details than existing technology. Three more satellites are expected to be deployed by mid-2025. The global satellite imagery market is projected to reach $19 billion by 2029.
25. Which organizations were involved for the development of “Building Blocks for THz Communication Front Ends” for 6G?
[A] IIT Madras and DRDO
[B] Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and IIT Delhi
[C] ISRO and IIT Kanpur
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology and CSIR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and IIT Delhi]
Notes:
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and IIT Delhi signed an agreement to develop THz communication front ends for 6G under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF). TTDF is established under the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), now called Digital Bharat Nidhi, by the Department of Telecom. The fund supports research, design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing in telecommunications. It aims to foster rural-specific communication technologies, promote technology ownership, and encourage indigenous manufacturing. TTDF seeks to boost exports, reduce imports, enhance co-innovation, and support Intellectual Property creation in the telecom sector.
26. Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0) has been launched by which organizations?
[A] Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Data Security Council of India
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs and National Informatics Centre
[C] NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre
[D] Data Security Council of India and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Data Security Council of India ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) launched the second edition of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0). The prize pool has been increased to Rs. 6.85 crores from Rs. 3.2 crores. Innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs are invited to address six key cybersecurity challenges, including API Security, Data Security, and AI for Threat Detection. Intellectual property rights for solutions developed will stay with startups. The competition has four stages, with winners receiving Rs. 25 lakh, and the overall winner getting Rs. 1 crore. The initiative supports Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
27. Which organization has released the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) 2025?
[A] World Bank
[B] International Maritime Organization (IMO)
[C] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
[D] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Bank]
Notes:
Cabo Verde, an archipelago off West Africa, needs to invest 842 million from 2024-2030 (140 million per year) to tackle climate and development challenges. The World Bank’s report, Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) 2025, launched on January 15, 2025, outlines these needs for enhancing climate resilience and sustainable development. World Bank released the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) 2025. The CCDRs aim to integrate climate change considerations into development planning. These reports utilize extensive data and research to identify key climate vulnerabilities and potential pathways for action.
28. Huntington’s Disease, that was recently seen in news, affects which type of cells in the human body?
[A] Blood cells
[B] Brain cells
[C] Muscle cells
[D] Skin cells
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brain cells]
Notes:
New research reveals that genetic mutations in Huntington’s Disease (HD) can have delayed effects, impacting disease progression over time. Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a genetic condition causing gradual loss of brain cell function, leading to their death. It affects brain regions regulating voluntary movement, memory, and decision-making, primarily the basal ganglia and brain cortex. HD is caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, which produces huntingtin protein crucial for neuron function. Mutated huntingtin proteins have abnormal shapes, damaging and killing neurons. HD is inherited; each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of developing the disease. It affects 3 to 7 out of 100,000 people, primarily of European ancestry.
29. SVAMITVA scheme was launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Culture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Panchayati Raj]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi oversees the e-distribution of SVAMITVA Property Cards on 18th January 2025. The SVAMITVA Scheme, launched on 24th April 2020, is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to provide legal ownership records to rural property owners via Property Cards, improving rural governance and financial inclusion. The scheme ensures accurate land demarcation using drone technology and GIS tools, reducing land disputes. It grants Record of Rights (RoR) to property owners in rural areas, offering legal recognition to their properties.
30. Which space centre is home to the ISRO’s new Third Launch Pad?
[A] Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
[B] Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahemadabad
[C] ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri
[D] Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. TLP will support ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and human spaceflight missions. It will serve as a backup for the Second Launch Pad (SLP) and support LVM3 vehicles with advanced stages. The project costs ₹3984.86 crore and is expected to be completed in four years. TLP will boost launch frequencies, enabling India’s space goals, including the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and crewed lunar landing by 2040. It enhances India’s capacity for heavier and advanced launch vehicles.